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Having the proper documents and facts when deciding on a divorce can save you thousands of dollars in cash as well as potential heartbreak during custody matters. We discuss below what we suggest that you have in hand as well as a second set safely held by a safe deposit box, or trusted family member. Do not take chances.. make extra copies and have everything in order.

Here are the things you must have:

1. Statement of Income (ALL) Not only will your income statements be needed but those of your spouse will be needed to have on hand. Have the last two years tax returns even if filed together. If a business is involved, all the statements are needed.

2. Bank Account Statements Nothing more important than having all the bank account statements upfront. This takes any of the suspicion away as everything is in black and white. If you can get all the statements from the beginning of the marriage then great!

3. Credit Cards – All Statements Often spouses might hide a card or two with sometimes huge balances. Avoid this and get a hold of all credit card statements from the past month to ensure what is what.

4. 401k & Pension Statements Thousands of dollars could be locked up in this area so do not overlook it on both sides. The other spouse will not forget so you should not as well. Contact the company who holds the 401k or pension and find out the specifics.

5. Real Estate Documents Single biggest asset you have is a home (most times) and you would want to make sure the documents relating to any homes, apartments, condos, land or other real estate are accounted for. Any taxes or monies paid on such real estate should also be documented. Anything related to mortgages, liens or tax burdens should also be in hand.

Even though this documentation process will be time intensive, lawyers know it is well worth it to be prepared for any challenges, rulings and court dates you may have. Not being fully prepared is a sure way to end up on the short end of a ruling.

By: Joseph Knuden

 If you are considering divorcing your spouse or if they have already filed for divorce, it is a good idea to at least consult with a couple of lawyers. The consultations are often free and you can get answers to many of the questions you’ll undoubtedly have. 

Representing yourself in a divorce proceeding is an option in most states. For some couples, representing themselves can be the wisest and least expensive option. This is usually the case when the couple has no children and limited assets to divide. Under these circumstances, a couple doing a do-it-yourself divorce could terminate their marriage for less than hundred dollars.

More often than not, however, things more complicated. Agreements need to be reached regarding children, retirement accounts, savings and the family home. When this is the case, it is always better to have the help of a lawyer.  

When one partner has been the primary breadwinner of the relationship, there will be issues of spousal support involved. Depending on the length of the marriage, the age of the couple and the ability of both to earn a living, a court will have to consider whether or not to or order support payments and how much. Here is where an experienced attorney is worth their weight in gold. Depending upon which side you’re on, a good lawyer can save or earn you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime. 
 
The same holds true if there are children involved and child support payments are necessary. However, most states have tables that dictate how much support must be paid per child based on the income of the spouse making the payment.

Pensions and retirement accounts are likely to be divided in a divorce as they are considered marital property.  Valuing them is not an exact science and a good lawyer can help protect these accounts. You can expect your attorney to advocate on your behalf to make sure your interests are place above all else.

While there are situations when a do-it-yourself divorce is warranted, when issues of money and children are involved you need to be made aware of all the possible outcomes and what’s necessary in order to protect your future. Only an experienced divorce lawyer can help you through this difficult process. To get a free divorce consultation with an experienced lawyer in your area call toll free (877)322-3671 or visit http://www.onlinedivorce.net.

By: Michael T. Wright

Picking a lawyer can be very stressful. Without a legal background, it is often difficult to tell the difference between one attorney and the next. This is further complicated by the degree of specialization in legal services. In the past, it was adequate to use a general lawyer who could cover a broad range of legal services. The law, however, has become increasingly complex and law firms now often have different departments for specific areas of specialization such as litigation, personal injury, malpractice, real estate, and intellectual property.

So how do you pick a lawyer? Here are a few basic criteria that can be used:

Experience

Make sure that any lawyer you’re considering has adequate experience, not only in law, but also in the specific cases of your type. In addition, make sure that he has adequate trial experience. Many lawyers don’t actually try lawsuits.

Reputation

It is important to research the past work of an attorney. Check with past clients, colleagues, and judges and look for press coverage of past cases. In addition, you can search peer-review online databases such as martindale.com

Education

Check to make sure that your lawyer graduated from an accredited law school. The American Bar Association maintains a list of law schools it has approved on its website.

Personality

Legal matters can be very personal in nature. Make sure that you connect on a personal level with your lawyer. If you don’t get along with your attorney, it will be difficult to work with him effectively.

Cost

Legal services can often be prohibitively expensive. With legal fees running hundreds of thousands of dollars, prestigious law firms are frequently too expensive for most people. Local judges can often recommend attorneys that have affordable fees.

By: Greg Chan