You may need the help of multiple professionals to navigate the legal, financial, and emotional complexities of divorce
Dissolving a marriage and preparing to lead a new life separate from your former spouse is a big step. This time can be fraught with emotion, especially if you are not the one initiating the divorce proceeding. Without professional help, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and agree to measures that may not be fair or in your or your children’s best interests. Here are 5 professionals who can help protect your rights and interests during a divorce case to ensure the final divorce decree is as favorable as possible.
Divorce Lawyer
A divorce lawyer is of course ideally positioned to assist you with all the legal aspects and implications of your divorce. Your attorney can make sure you are fully informed as to your rights and obligations with respect to child support, spousal support, child custody, and asset division, and ensure that your spouse’s attorney does not abuse your rights or misrepresent your obligations. Whether your divorce ends up being resolved out of court or goes to litigation, your attorney will stand by you the entire time to provide expert and aggressive representation.
Mediator
If you are on relatively good terms with your spouse, you can use a mediator to help you reach a mutually acceptable agreement that will govern your lives after divorce. Mediation is typically less expensive and less stressful than litigation, and couples that use mediation are less likely to return to court in the future to dispute their divorce agreements. Many divorce attorneys are also trained as mediators.
Accountant
If you and your spouse have significant assets or a complicated financial situation, you may wish to hire a Certified Public Accountant to help you establish your net worth and make a detailed accounting of your separate and joint property. Having accurate figures is essential for working towards a fair division of property in your divorce.
Financial Analyst
You may also wish to consult a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, which is an accountant or financial planner with specific training in the financial impact of divorce settlements. This individual can help make sure provisions for asset division and support are fair not only in the short term, but also in the long term. For example, they can help you understand the impact of various settlement options such as keeping or selling your home on your current and future finances.
Therapist
Finally, you may wish to talk to a therapist or counselor to help you sort through all the emotions you may be feeling during a divorce. Being in control of your emotions and able to look past them is very important during a divorce case, because you definitely don’t want an emotional response to cloud your judgment and result in you accepting an unfair divorce decree.
