Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer

15 March 2019

Going through a divorce is already traumatic. Hiring a divorce lawyer shouldn’t be. You already have so much to think about. If you have children and combined assets, the process of divorce would become even more tangled. If your lawyer is good, you can avoid a long tussle and solve things fast so you can put the disturbing past behind you and move on.

Hiring a lawyer is a very important task. Your future is at stake here. Your emotional and financial health is in your lawyer’s hands. The longer you have been in the marriage the more tangled the case becomes. If you have debts, dividing these could be tricky. There would be a lot of clauses that need to be looked into to divide these debts and assets.

If you’re going through the divorce with a lawyer, chances are that your partner has a lawyer too. Since law proceedings can go any way, it is extremely important that you choose a lawyer that can help you get your fair share of the years and life that you built together with your partner.

We can understand that the entire situation must be really overwhelming for you so we’ve put together a list of the top factors that you need to consider while hiring a lawyer.

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer:

Attorney’s experience:

It goes without saying that your attorney must have experience with divorce proceedings. Law is a tricky boat to steer and unless your lawyer has some experience he would not be aware of the obstacles he needs to steer past. Now even while looking for a lawyer, check their credentials and certifications. You could personally check up with these some of the people they’ve worked with in the past. It would give you a fair idea of how the lawyer works. The biggest thing that you’d find out is their credibility. It is important that you go through many of their previous clients to make an informed decision. Fred Coover of Coover Law advises considering the experience and local reputation of a divorce lawyer before hiring them. Any big decision needs groundwork. Put in some time and effort to browse through the lawyer directory in your area and sift through their cases. Everything is available online, so you could do this any time.

Lawyers generally have multiple cases in different branches that they work in their careers. Choose a lawyer that has experience in specifically divorce cases. This would tell you that they know their way around divorce proceedings.

Background check:

After checking their experience, check up on the lawyer’s background and how credible they are. If they have a reputation of unscrupulous methods of filing and fighting cases, you may want to steer clear. You don’t want to be stuck with a lawyer who doesn’t do things ethically because this could put your case in jeopardy as well. Divorce proceedings should be a one-time thing. You don’t want to go through the mental trauma again. If your lawyer employs unscrupulous methods, the case could be open again and you may have to compensate more than you received in the divorce hearing.

Contact the local bar council and find out about the lawyer you’re thinking of hiring. They would be in the best position to advise you and give you information about the lawyer you’re seeking.

Communication:

Since filing cases is all about communication, when you meet the lawyer, you must be able to communicate with them effectively. Everyone’s way of communication is different and you must find one for yourself with whom you can communicate. If you feel like the lawyer isn’t true to what they say, move on to the next. Most lawyers who have been in practice for a long time have a fixed way of working and you shouldn’t have problems. In case you do, move on to find another attorney. They must be available for you via calls, emails or be open to meeting in person in their work hours. This shows that the lawyer is committed to your case.

As Jim Parke from leading Melbourne law firm tells us, “Divorce is a very emotional and stressful time for the parties involved. It’s important to hire a lawyer who is sympathetic and understanding but also acts swiftly so things can be done in a timely manner”. The last thing you want is a drawn-out process which makes the event even harder to deal with. His legal practice ensures divorce proceedings are taken care of quickly.

Fees of the attorney:

While hiring a lawyer, inquire about their fees. Some lawyers charge by the hour and some for consultation. The normal rate that most experienced divorce lawyers charge is anywhere between $100 to $200 for consultation.

Clear the paperwork and discuss the mode of payment clearly with them. Are the payments properly invoiced? Will any fees be refunded if you don’t employ their services. Lawyers charge a retainer fee which is an upfront fee. Check with the lawyer if this fees will be refunded in case you decide to terminate the contract midway. Ensure that the contract mentions all these terms clearly before signing.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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How to Bring Up Divorce With Your Spouse

The breakup of a marriage is painful, and unfortunately, it isn't very uncommon. People in nearly every age group across every state can get divorced, and come to the decision is never simple. Even if two people are mutually unhappy in a relationship, most people don't know how to bring up divorce with their spouse. When you're asking yourself how to bring up divorce, it's time to start looking for answers. Do you need tips on talking about divorce with your spouse? You've come to the right place. After you read this post, you'll know the right next steps to take. How To Bring Up Divorce With Your Spouse : What do you say to your spouse when you're thinking about divorce? What do you do to prepare yourself, and make things as simple as they can be in a tough situation? We're here to ensure that you take the right steps. If you're wondering how to talk about divorce, make sure you follow these steps. Be Sure : A divorce is a life-changing event. It can change your life, make your family happier in the long run, and cause chaos in the present. You need to make sure that you're absolutely ready for the aftermath of suggesting such an intense event. Divorce should be an absolute last resort for every couple. Have you spent time in therapy as a couple or by yourself? Do you think this is the only way to personally be happy and save your family? If you answered "no" to any of the above questions, you may want to rethink your decision to divorce. Do Your Homework : In a perfect world, every couple would break up amicably and divide up assets and time with children. But unfortunately, it's rare for a divorce to go the way that you'd like. Before you talk about divorce with your spouse, make sure that you understand what could occur if you choose to go through with it. Don't assume that you'll receive or pay a certain amount of alimony. Don't think that you'll automatically get full custody if you're a mother, or that you won't be granted it if you're a father. Research every possible outcome before you commit yourself to divorce. There may be outcomes you haven't thought of, and they may make you want to rethink your decision. Talk To A Lawyer : We talked about the importance of doing your own research before you talk to your spouse about divorce. While you're doing your own research, look up a great divorce lawyer. Nobody knows the law as a lawyer. Whether you're trying to get a divorce in New York City or need to learn how to get a divorce in Texas, a lawyer will always know more than an amateur researcher. A consultation fee for a lawyer could end up saving you thousands during the course of a divorce. Pick The Right Time : There's a time and a place for everything, and you want to make sure that you pick the right time when you bring up an important topic. Never bring up the possibility of divorce when you're having a fight. People can say the wrong things in the heat of the moment. Your words could be seen as a reaction to the situation, or you could end up saying something you'll regret. Make sure you bring things up when you both have an extended period of time together. A bedtime conversation may not seem like the best time to talk, but it's better than bringing it up when you're trying to get the kids ready for school. Think About Execution : If you're thinking about how to approach a divorce with your spouse, it's safe to assume that you have a lot of things on your mind. The conversation you have will be important, so you want to make sure that you're fully prepared for it. The easiest way to do this is to take time to think about how you want to handle the conversation. Do you want to sit down with them and have a long conversation about why you're leaving? Do you want to keep things short and to the point because you're worried about their reaction? Think about how you want to handle the talk. Once you have an idea, you can start thinking about the actual conversation. Accept Hurt Feelings : One of the reasons why it's so difficult for people to bring up divorce is because they don't want to hurt their soon-to-be ex-partners feelings or deal with the stress. If you want to make the divorce talk easier on yourself, accept that there are going to be some hurt feelings on both sides. There is no painless way to end a marriage. There's no way to stop your spouse from feeling bad, and you can't avoid feeling stressed or upset about the end of your marriage Once you accept that things are going to be tough, the talk will be much easier. Stay Calm : Staying calm when you're making the biggest decision of your life may seem impossible, but if you want to do what's best for you and your family you need to stay calm and clear-headed. Raising your voice, getting angry, or bursting into tears can feel like the right thing to do, but getting emotional can make an already intense situation more stressful. Some people find that it's easier to stay calm after they've had time to rehearse what they're going to say. Others chose to do something relaxing before they have a big talk. Find a way to center yourself, and prepare yourself emotionally for the conversation. Be Honest : If there's ever a time for honesty in a relationship, it's at its end. There's no point in holding things back. When you're talking about divorce, be honest with your partner about why it's ending. It's possible, to be honest without being cruel. You don't need to be nasty or mean about what you say, but you can tell them the truth about why you want to end things. Whether you're divorcing because you're falling out of love, incompatible sex drives, or conflicting personalities, your spouse has a right to know. Next Steps to Take : Now that you know how to bring up divorce, it's time to take the next steps. Read our article on how to find the right lawyer for your family. Having a trusted lawyer can help make the divorce process much easier. If you're interested in other content about love and marriage, read posts in our lifestyle section for more helpful advice! Read Also : Divorce Lawyers In Houston Texas: A Short Guide On Saving Your Marriage 4 Tips For Dealing With A Family Business In Divorce Picking The Right Law Firm For You And Your Family

The Basics of Criminal Appeals Law

In this article, we want to quickly look at the subject of criminal appeal and the laws that govern it. We are not approaching it like a law school course addressed at lawyers but as a general informative content meant for those who may not be so knowledgeable in legal matters. Hopefully, the information we will share here however basic will help you get a better understanding of this process of criminal appeal and how you can take advantage of it should you be in a position where such an action becomes necessary. The Basics of Criminal Appeals Law: An Overview: A criminal appeal is a process where an individual who has been tried by a court of competent jurisdiction and convicted for a crime decides to seek the intervention of a higher court. The purpose of this intervention could be to seek an overturn of the conviction reached by the lower court based on a few points that we will look at later. It could also be to seek a reduction in the sentencing delivered upon conviction. In either case, the defendant is turning to a higher court so that s/he can get a more favorable outcome in the form of an acquittal or a sentence reduction. When an appeal is filed, the higher court will go through the process that the lower court went through to reach its verdict. This means that there shall be no testimonies or submissions of fresh evidence. The decision of the higher court will be based solely on the recordings of the concluded court proceedings. It is from this recorded process that the appealing counsel will point out the grounds of their appeal and it is also from these recorded proceedings that the higher court will reach its decision. It is important to understand that it is common to find the higher courts in the U.S naturally favoring the decisions of the lower court. It will take some very clear infractions or errors to cause a higher court to overturn the judgment of the lower court. Grounds on Which an Appeal Can be Made: We mentioned above that an appeal has to be based on certain grounds. We will now look at a few of these grounds upon which a criminal appeal can be filed. An appeal can be file if any of the following happened during the trial at the lower court: There is a clear error in the interpretation of the law. The verdict given is not backed up by clear evidence. The ruling of the lower court bothered on abuse of its discretion. The defendant claims that his/her representation was inadequate. Any of the points above are grounds upon which an appeal can be filed. You should, however, understand that the appellate court must find evidence in the proceedings of the trial as shown by your attorney in your appeal filing that supports your claim. If the higher court does not find enough evidence supporting your claim, it will be thrown out. What You Should Do: If you have just gone through a criminal trial and you were not happy with the outcome because you felt the process was somehow flawed, you could ask your lawyer what your chances will be if you were to take it to a higher court. We understand that it is likely that your attorney is the reason why the outcome of the trial was the way it is. If this is the case, then having such an attorney handle your appeal will not be a very smart move. You’ve already made the mistake of choosing an attorney who could not properly represent your interest in court, do not make the mistake of having the same attorney contest this outcome in a higher court for you. You can find a lawyer here with the experience to look through the records of your case and give you a candid opinion. There’s no point in spending time and money contesting a case that is certainly not going to go your way no matter where you take it. What you need is a correct assessment of your chances. If it is seen that there are indeed solid grounds on which an appeal can be filed, you should engage the services of Criminal Appeals Toronto attorney with the required expertise, who knows exactly how to prepare your case to give you the best chance of getting a better verdict. Bonus knowledge: Check out our blog regarding Criminal Law Enforcement Read Also: Keys To Become A Successful Lawyer 3 Reasons Why You Might Need A Family Lawyer Three Practical Tips And Techniques For New Trial Lawyers

Q&A: Things You Need To Know About SSDI

In the United States, almost 10.9 million people receive Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI benefits. This benefit offers them an average pay of $12,000 per year. Despite the benefits SSDI offers, for most of our working lives, SSDI remains a background concern. Most people avoid this insurance program because of how much the federal government charges to run this program. However, people are now getting aware of the importance SSDI has to offer. What Is Social Security Disability Insurance? Social Security Disability Insurance is a federally supported benefit program. The sole purpose of this program is to offer financial assistance to individuals with disabilities. In general, the SSDI benefits can only be offered to individuals who can no longer work or for at least 12 months because of their disability. SSDI is an earned benefit. This means that in order to benefit from this program, you must invest in this program and accumulate credit points. The credit points accumulation is also determined by your work history. Why Does SSDI Matter? Most people realize the importance when tragedy strikes. When people are unable to continue with their work, they think about how they will support themselves and their families. Guess what? If you have taken SSDI, you wouldn't have to worry. After an accident or illness that takes away your capability to work, SSDI becomes the lifeline for those who can no longer work. SSDI is a federal-controlled program where you pay a certain amount every month. And when you are ill or injured and cannot continue to work, you receive a certain portion of your paycheck to support yourself. How Is Eligibility Determined? To qualify for the SSDI benefits, you must - Have worked in jobs under the protection of social security.Have medical conditions and documents to prove the condition. The general rule states that if a person is diable and is unable to work for one year, they receive a monthly benefit under the SSDI program. The benefits continue until you can return back to work and continue working how you used to before disability. If you want to get a clear view of how this transition happens, get help from a Paducah disability attorney. What Do We Mean by Disability? It is important to understand that the definition of disability under the SSDI benefits is different from other programs. SSDI benefits are liable for paying only complete disability. No benefits are payable for any partial or short-term disability. You can qualify for the benefits under the disability program if the following stands true for you. You cannot work or engage in any activity that helps you earn because of your medical condition.You cannot work a previous job or any similar job after your current medical condition.Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months. This is the strict definition of disability that SSDI follows. This is because the Social Security program assumes that the person will have access to all the necessary things from their family members, including worker’s compensation, savings, and investment. Consider Reading the facts we have shared for which most of the SSD claims get denied When Does the SSDI Payment Start? Under the law, the payment won't start unless you have been disabling it for 5 full months. That means SSDI payments start from the 6th month. However, you can avoid the waiting period if your disability originates from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and has the approval of Social Security benefits. When you receive your confirmation notice, the notice will clearly talk about how much you will receive as a benefit and from which exact date the benefit will start. How Long Does The Payment Continue? The tenure of payment is decided on your medical condition. The general rule states that an individual will keep receiving the benefits till they recover and get back to work. If the medical condition is not improving, they will keep getting benefits. However, the benefits will not continue indefinitely. The official will keep a close eye on what the individual is doing to recover themselves. That being said, with advanced medical science and rehabilitation techniques, many people recover from injuries and disabilities. When an individual is receiving the benefits, officials will keep track of them, and the individual will be responsible for answering any question asked by the officials. Do You Need To Stop Working To Collect The Retirement Benefits? No, you don’t have to stop working to receive retirement benefits. Once you have crossed the retirement age, you can work and still enjoy the retirement benefits. But, if you are below full retirement, your monthly benefits will be reduced. Only after you reach retirement age will the reduction be eliminated. And the benefits will be increased to make up for what you have lost over time. How Can You Boost The Number Of Benefits? The longer you wait for the payment, the more amount you will receive. Let’s understand this by an example. Let’s just say you were born in 1960. This means your current age is 62. So, if you start receiving the benefits, it will be 70% of your last paycheck. However, if you wait for more than 5 years till you reach 67 and then claim the benefits, you will get 100%. This is because delaying past full retirement age and Social security increases your benefits by 8% per year until you hit 70. After 70, it becomes constant. Do You Owe Taxes On Social Security? Social Security Disability benefits are subject to tax. But most people end up not paying taxes on it. The taxation of SSDI benefits depends on your total income. However, there is a way to avoid paying tax on your SSDI benefits. If your total income - one-half of your disability benefits + tax-exempt interest - is below the bottom line where taxation starts. If you are single, the threshold of the tax amount is $25,000. And if you are married and file the benefits jointly, the amount increases to $32,000. Additionals: How To Replace Your Social Security Card OnlineIs Social Work Getting Enough Praise In Today’s Society?Social Entrepreneurship – Entrepreneurship Strategies And Many More!Why You Should Hire A Social Security Disability Attorney Vs. Taking On The Legal Matters Yourself!

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer:

Attorney’s experience:

Background check:

Communication:

Fees of the attorney:

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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How to Bring Up Divorce With Your Spouse

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Q&A: Things You Need To Know About SSDI

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer

Things To Consider Before Hiring A Divorce Lawyer:

Attorney’s experience:

Background check:

Communication:

Fees of the attorney:

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I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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Follow Us

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