The Proper Way To Divorce Without Losing My Mind
Divorce is not easy and it’s often not as amicable as you can hope. Our Toronto family lawyers can help you in this process. During divorce, either party could experience the loss of their home, comfort, finances or security. Navigating through divorce is a tricky process; the emotions that you experience can make it difficult to think or act clearly, so you may end up making regrettable decisions. However, with the help of a divorce attorney, you can determine your post-divorce needs and priorities. Common divorce issues include property division, child support and alimony. While choosing to go through divorce without legal representation helps you save on attorney fees, you could end up losing more.
Property Division
Division of property is a major issue in any divorce. Property may include real estate, furnishings, art, stocks, investment, bank account or retirement benefits. If your main objective is to stay in your marital home, it means that the other spouse could have a larger share of the remaining property. Are you comfortable with this type of trade off? Or you would you prefer selling your home and dividing the proceeds? You may also be facing tax issues in the case of properties that have increased in value.
While making these crucial decisions, it’s advisable to hire a divorce attorney to guide you through the process. Provide your divorce attorney with all the facts to help him or her build a strong case that supports your claim.
Child Support and Custody
If you have children, their care and custody will be a key factor in your divorce. Although one partner is willing to let the children live with the other parent, there are other child related issues that may arise such as child support expenses, division of education expenses, decision making process for child related activities and visiting hours. If you or your partner cannot agree on some issues, you can hire a qualified counselor to help you work on some agreements.
When you choose to proceed with divorce without legal presentation, you must understand that the court will not treat you differently. Keep in mind your spouse’s lawyer will not assist you in any way. After all, no lawyer can represent both spouses in a divorce proceeding.
Alimony
Alimony, also called spouse support, is often one of the most contested issues in divorce. If you left your job to provide care and raise your children, you may need financial support after the divorce. If you’ve been out of the job market for many years and your earning capacity is low, you may be eligible for permanent alimony. The judge will decide if the spouse deserves to be paid, what amount needs to be paid and the duration of payment.
Our Toronto divorce lawyers can help you tackle legal issues related to your divorce, issues you may have overlooked if you opted for a do-it-yourself divorce. During divorce, there will be change in ownership of some property and your lawyer could introduce you to other professionals who could help you.