Dedicated Divorce Lawyers in Clark County, Washington
Choosing to divorce or separate is never an easy decision. You are well aware how it’s going to affect everyone involved, and you know your family’s entire way of life is going to shift dramatically. It’s especially hard when children are involved, but you have to do what’s best for both you and them.
Everyone’s situation is different, and as a result, you need a divorce lawyer who is able to recognize all avenues your individual path could take. At Affordable Family Law Center, we do just that.
Divorce vs. Legal Separation – What is the Appropriate Choice?
When two people get married they form a legal entity that is recognized as a community state in the State of Washington. So when a couple gets divorced the shared benefits that go along with marriage such community ownership of their home, cars, trucks, motorcycle, real and other personal properties, and health insurance also are splintered as well. However in the case of legal separation the parties may be able to continue with joint health insurance versus having it severed by the extinction of the marriage.
There are of course benefits and drawbacks to each, but choosing either divorce or a legal separation is not a decision to be made lightly. A legal separation will not end the marriage but will allow the spouses to separate, not only physically but financially as well. Formal financial and practical arrangements regarding shared children are made in a legal separation just as in divorce, so it may be the better solution for couples with specific religious beliefs or other reasons for retaining the marriage. A divorce, or dissolution of marriage, will end all aspects of the marriage, and orders will be made regarding parenting plans and division of combined debts and property. A legal separation can be turned into a dissolution of marriage later, if desired.
If you’ve reached the point where you are considering a divorce or legal separation from your spouse, you have probably already suffered significant loss in your relationship. When you hire an attorney to represent you, you are smartly doing so because you are trying to prevent future loss, whether it be emotional or economic. Having a skilled and affordable divorce lawyer on your side will help you cope now and protect you for the future.
General Tip: Know your finances. If you have been thinking about getting a divorce also think about the financial impact that divorce is going to have on you.
- Where are you going to live, and how much is it going to cost?
- What are your monthly utilities?
- Can you support yourself?
- If you are going to need maintenance, how much are you going to need? And what is your transition plan to being self-sufficient? Start thinking about the future and not just the past.
- Can you afford an attorney? And for how long? Would an attorney with a retainer system or flat fee system be better for you?
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Couples who divorce without children tend to have an easier and quicker process than those that have them. For parents, the impact of parenting plans and child support agreements are going to affect their lives and those of their children for a long time to come. This is why it’s critical to choose an attorney who will consider not only the short-term factors, but also the effects the decisions made now will have in the future. Whether you have children or not, having a dedicated divorce lawyer on your side will help you protect yourself from possible ill-will or bad decisions that can make life difficult moving forward.
The lawyers at Affordable Family Law Center understand this balance, and focus on both the immediate and future consequences that a decision may have for you and your family. We are dedicated to providing results and the most positive outcome we can manage for all of our clients. When you call for a free over-the-phone consultation, our divorce attorneys will provide you with all of your options so that you can take the best next steps.
Things to Consider Before Filing for Divorce
The past is easy to think about, and it is something that will likely need to be documented in some situations, however, you need to get to thinking about how you are going to succeed in the future, because that is also a question that the courts are likely going to bring into question as well.
Below are some questions you should ask yourself before making an official motion to file for divorce in Washington:
- Where are you going to live, and how much is it going to cost?
- What will your monthly utilities and other expenses be?
- Can you support yourself on your income when all of these expenses are considered?
- If you are going to need spousal maintenance, how much are you going to need?
- What is your plan to transition into being self-sufficient?
- Can you afford an attorney for however long you might need one?
The past is easy to dwell on, and is something that will likely need to be documented in some situations for future reference. However, you also need to get to thinking about how you are going to set yourself up for success moving forward, because it’s very possible the courts are going to question you about this as well.
General Tip: Know your finances. Make a realistic plan for how you will support yourself and your children when the divorce or legal separation is finalized. Having a solid strategy for the future will hold up better than just an idea, potentially giving you the strong advantage you might need in court.
Call Today to Discuss Your Affordable Divorce Options
When you hire an attorney to represent you, you are doing so in many cases because you have already experienced loss or you are trying to prevent future loss. That loss might be emotional, economic, or family time, but likely you have already experienced a loss. Not only do you need to protect yourself and your family, but you also need to not add any further harm to yourself.
At Affordable Family Law Center, it is our goal to provide exceptional family law services to all of our Washington clients at a reasonable price. When you call for your free phone consultation, one of our dedicated divorce lawyers will walk you through what to expect and discuss all of your payment options. You don’t have to go through a divorce or legal separation alone – call Affordable Family Law Center to get the best head start for you and your children.
