A divorce can be a very stressful and painful experience, especially if children are involved. However, it can also be made easier with a professional’s help.
Some of the professionals that can help you navigate your divorce include lawyers, therapists and financial professionals. All of these professionals can help you achieve a successful divorce and start a new life.
Legal Advice
It’s not a good idea to try to handle divorce without professional legal advice. It will cost you in time and money. It could also lead to regrets that you’ll carry for decades.
Friends and family members might be able to offer some support, but they’re not lawyers. They don’t know what you’re facing in your case and may even have their own biases. They should never be your source of divorce advice.
Many courts have a legal aid society or volunteer lawyers program through their local bar association that provide free or low-cost advice for those who cannot afford private counsel. You can usually find their contact information by contacting the bar or by a web search. In addition, you may be able to have your court fees waived if you meet certain requirements like income or savings. The court clerk at your courthouse should be able to help you fill out fee waiver forms.
Counseling
Divorce is a stressful time for everyone, but counseling is a way to address emotional issues that can come up throughout the process. Individual therapy will help you cope with the stress of separating from your spouse and building your life in new ways.
A therapist will help you find an emotional equilibrium that will allow you to focus on your legal negotiations with your ex-spouse and create a healthy co-parenting relationship. Counseling can also teach you coping skills that will benefit your relationships in the future.
Financial Advice
While divorce lawyers in Harrisburg, PA concentrate on the legalities of divorce, a financial planner will look at the life-long financial implications of decisions made during this process. They will
also help with budgeting, saving and investment strategies.
A financial advisor can also help with determining the best way to split retirement accounts and other investments that may be involved in a divorce settlement. They can run several cash-flow and asset scenarios to help the client determine which option is best for them.
Once the divorce is final, it’s important to change all financial documents with new names and to remove your spouse from joint credit cards, checking and savings accounts. It’s also a good idea to have a filing system in place so you can locate documents more quickly. Lastly, consider getting a safe deposit box at the bank if you don’t already have one. This will help you protect valuables that aren’t covered by your homeowners or auto insurance policies.
Mediation
In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party called a mediator. During these sessions, you discuss different aspects of your divorce such as child custody and alimony. Your mediator might help you determine your priorities and work through solutions that are best for both of you.
It’s important to remember that you both must be open to compromise during these sessions. You can find mediators through several sources including your local courthouse, private attorneys and national mediation or family law organizations.
You can also ask your attorney to attend your mediation sessions with you, as they can provide legal advice and support. It is also wise to have your lawyer review any final settlement agreements to make sure they are sensible and don’t leave you financially vulnerable. Unlike a litigated divorce, everything that takes place during mediation is confidential. However, you do still have the option of going to court if you do not reach an agreement through mediation.
