INDUSTRY INSIGHT
FAMILY LAW
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Answers to
Top 5 Divorce
Questions
Searched on the
Internet
1. HOW DO YOU FILE FOR DIVORCE?
Technically, the action begins with the preparation of a divorce
complaint that gets fi led with the appropriate state court. However,
a person should not impulsively fi le such a document without fi rst
discussing the appropriate strategy with an experienced lawyer
who will analyze your personal needs and decide if, how and when
you would fi le a divorce complaint. There are many legal subtleties
whereby substantial rights may be inadvertently forfeited if the
complaint is not prepared correctly and fi led at the appropriate time.
Once a clear strategy is determined, appropriate action can be taken
to “start” a divorce.
2. HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME?
There is no way to accurately project the cost of a divorce. You can
help manage legal fees by being effi cient. Make good use of time
when communicating with counsel. Make good choices, with advice
of counsel, about what issues you pursue. Unfortunately, the cost of
a divorce is greatly aff ected by how reasonable your spouse is during
the process. Also, hiring a lawyer inexperienced in family law, or one
who is unnecessarily litigious, will inevitably drive up the cost of any
divorce.
3. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO GET A
DIVORCE?
If you and your spouse agree to divorce and have worked out
the division of your assets and debts, you can get a divorce 90 days
after service of a divorce complaint. Often, one spouse wants a
divorce but the other contests it for emotional or fi nancial reasons.
The contesting spouse can delay the process for one year from
the parties’ date of separation. Thereafter, it may take another year
or more to get t