Divorce proceedings are always emotionally charged, but an experienced divorce attorney in San Mateo can help you in a number of ways and allow the process to go more smoothly than it ever could if you go it alone.
8 Things to Expect While Navigating Divorce Proceedings With a Skilled San Mateo Attorney
1. Personalization
When you work with a skilled and experienced attorney, you can expect that everything about your case will be personalized to your specific circumstances. Your attorney will carefully assess your situation, review all marital assets, consider every aspect of child custody or spousal support concerns, and come up with a strategy designed to protect you. Your attorney will work to understand your unique needs, as well as your unique goals, rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach.
In addition, you can expect a good attorney with experience in California family law to bring all their understanding of the law and the local court system to bear on your behalf. Their experience will be put to work for you so that your case moves through the legal system as efficiently as possible. You’ll also be able to count on clear and specific advice at every stage so that you can make the best decisions going forward.
2. Effective Communication and Representation
Lawyers are by definition communicators, and if you have a skilled and experienced attorney on your side, you can expect particularly effective communication and representation. Whether your attorney is communicating with you, your spouse and their legal representatives, or with the court, everything will be done in a way that works towards accomplishing your goals.
Your lawyer will help you negotiate settlements, respond to any challenges thrown up by your spouse, and represent you in court if that becomes necessary. If you go into mediation, your lawyer can help you there, too, advocating on your behalf and presenting your case well.
3. In-Depth Knowledge of California Divorce Law
It’s easy for the average person to overestimate their understanding of how divorces go based on general knowledge, television tropes, and sometimes the experience of others, such as a family member. One of the things you need to bear in mind is that divorce laws vary by state and change over time, sometimes to an enormous degree, so something that may be presented on television as normal or something that a parent experienced years ago may not apply in the state of California or it’s up-to-date laws.
A skilled divorce attorney in San Mateo will know California’s divorce laws in and out and will also know all the procedural steps that you need to go through and regulatory hurdles that have to be jumped to finalize your divorce. This helps in many ways, not least of all because your attorney can often anticipate potential problems and address them proactively, which allows you to avoid delays and some of the common pitfalls of the divorce process.
4. Negotiation Skills
In a divorce, the ability to negotiate effectively can be quite an asset. There are typically very contentious issues involved in a divorce, particularly surrounding spousal support, child custody, and the division of assets. An attorney with strong negotiation skills can help you reach amicable agreements that protect your interests and reduce the need for prolonged litigation.
A skilled and experienced attorney will know how to bring the right evidence to bear and argue the legal principles that best apply to the situation, and an attorney also knows how to do this while maintaining a cooperative attitude that minimizes conflict and maximizes the chances of a smooth divorce process.
5. Emotional Support and Guidance
Divorce is an emotionally fraught journey in many cases; a skilled attorney understands the emotional challenges you may be facing and can provide support and guidance throughout the process. Because your attorney has been through this many times, they know the best ways to help clients manage stress and make good decisions with a clear mind. They also know when to offer reassurance and empathy.
Even more valuable, a skilled family law attorney will have a network of connections to refer clients to when they need counseling, support groups, and even financial advice. Your attorney is also someone who you can talk to frankly about your situation at any time, knowing that attorney/client privilege is always in effect.
6. Financial Acumen
Finances are always a big issue when it comes to a divorce, and a skilled attorney has also been down this road many times before with other clients. They know how important it is that your interests be protected, and they understand the financial impact of the decisions that you are likely to be faced with when it comes to the division of assets and debts, spousal support, and child support. Your attorney will work with financial experts if needed, such as accountants or appraisers, to ensure that all your assets are accurately valued and fairly divided.
7. Protection of Your Parental Rights
Disputes over child custody are very common in divorces, and a skilled and experienced attorney understands how important it is to you to keep your parental rights intact. They will advocate fiercely for your rights, representing you in court, if necessary, and presenting evidence to support what you have to say.
Whether you need to seek joint legal or physical custody, sole custody, visitation rights, or even need to get a domestic restraining order against your spouse on behalf of your children, your attorney will work hard to protect you and your children. An experienced attorney also understands the sorts of things that commonly happen in these cases and can thus advise you on what factors the courts are going to consider and how to best present a strong case for your rights.
8. Spousal Support Advice
Spousal support, or alimony, can be a contentious issue. A good attorney will help you understand your options for temporary or long-term spousal support if you need support or can help you defend yourself against a spouse who may be demanding unreasonable support.
In California, short-term spousal support is fairly common and makes it possible for one spouse to move out while still contributing to the household, particularly if they are children, until the final terms of the divorce are settled. Long-term support is no longer the given it once was. Long-term support is usually only considered when marriages lasted quite a long time or if there is great disparity in income between the spouses. Your attorney will consider your financial circumstances and needs and help you craft a plan that the court is likely to look favorably upon.
These are just some of the issues that a skilled attorney can help you with. If you work with an experienced divorce lawyer in San Mateo, there’s no question but that your divorce will go more smoothly than it ever could if you go it alone. Your peace of mind and financial future may depend a great deal on the ultimate outcome of your divorce, so be sure to work with a well-established law firm that specializes in family law and has a good track record of success. That’s just what you’ll get at Seeley Family Law, so contact us now so we can get started protecting you.