It’s normal to wonder whether you need a Denver divorce attorney if you’re considering going through one. No one enjoys going through a divorce. Hiring an attorney is a necessary expense if you are going through a divorce. The alternative of not hiring an attorney is much more damaging. Without legal representation, you stand to agree to things you don’t have to or fail to meet legal procedural requirements with the court that will harm your case position.

If you’re wondering what a divorce lawyer does in a divorce, their primary goal is to ensure the fairest outcome for the involved parties, preserving your interests and making sure your expectations are met. Continue reading to learn more about what divorce attorneys do.

Starting Your Divorce Case

Your divorce lawyer should offer a free consultation to uncover the details of your case and determine the next steps. They should ask investigative questions to learn about your case and then walk you through the divorce legal process. Most attorneys should provide their clients with divorce forms to fill out during or after the consultation. They will also issue some guidance on how you should approach your divorce.

An effective divorce lawyer will be able to clearly articulate a strategy for your case. You might prefer an aggressive approach or one that takes the family component into consideration above everything else. You will have to gauge where your divorce attorney lies on that spectrum and make a decision based on personal preferences. It’s important to choose a divorce lawyer who aligns with your morals and objectives for the case. They need to work on the case considering your objectives.

Denver Divorce Attorney

You should avoid attorneys who clearly have an ulterior motive for their consultation. You will be able to spot these attorneys by their lack of listening skills. For example, if your primary goal is custody of your children, they shouldn’t be focusing squarely on alimony. If you and your spouse are amicable, your attorney also shouldn’t try to sow discord. They should promote collaboration. Unscrupulous divorce attorneys tend to stoke the flames in divorce cases. Divorces are hard enough, you don’t need to add fuel to the flames.

On the other hand, if your spouse is clearly toxic and you feel you’ve been wronged in the relationship, then you should take a more aggressive approach and your lawyer should reflect that approach. For example, if you are a victim of domestic violence, a restraining order, complaint, or reparation payments might be necessary. Basically, your attorney should exemplify your aim for the case.

What Do I Have to Do In a Divorce?

Make no mistake. Going through a divorce is an extremely stressful process. You can’t just sit back and let your Denver divorce attorney do all of the work – it’s no cakewalk. Your lawyer should keep you apprised of all the case details and what they need from you. But when they ask you for deliverables in your case, you need to respond. For example, your lawyer may seek factual evidence for the pleadings filed in your case.

Your attorney might also schedule a court hearing or deposition that you must attend. Yes, your attorney will keep track of deadlines. But you need to be punctual while meeting these deadlines and it’s not your attorney’s job to hold you accountable. It might be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but that is part of the divorce process.

How Do I Know My Attorney Is Doing Their Job?

The legal proceedings of divorce are arduous and slow at points. You can’t be too quick to blame your lawyer for delays. Things are out of the attorney’s control such as the court calendar, the duration of your divorce, and your spouse’s responses. You need to be patient throughout this process. However, you should monitor what your divorce attorney is doing.

Your attorney should be communicative about the work they are conducting and what deadlines they are meeting. If you are concerned about your lawyer’s work or progress, you should sit down with them, voice your concerns, and try to strategize a new game plan for your case. If you don’t witness a change, then you should explore a different avenue.

Should I Tell My Divorce Attorney All of the Details?

Marriage is obviously personal. And when it ends, there are bound to be complex, heightened emotions about the relationship. You will likely have personal issues from the relationship that you wouldn’t typically discuss with anyone else.

Attorney-client privilege preserves this information and you can say whatever you want in confidence. If your lawyer betrays your confidence, they can face disbarment and even criminal charges. The more information you provide your attorney, the better legal representation they can provide. You don’t have to utilize all of the information you disclose, but you want your attorney to be fully aware of the inner workings of your case.

How Long Does It Take to Get Divorced?

How long it takes to get divorced depends on a few factors. The biggest determining factor in how long a divorce takes is how willing the parties are to collaborate. The complexity of the financial issues can also cause issues. For example, in California, the fastest a divorce can settle is six months after the petition. If a divorce has complex financial issues or the parties are uncooperative, divorces can take months or years.

Should I Choose a Male or Female Lawyer for My Case?

It’s natural for men to feel more comfortable with another man representing their case and vice versa. However, the sex of your attorney doesn’t matter and you should choose based on skill, experience, and comfort level. Above all, you should feel confident about the strategy for your case.

You can feel free to ask for referrals from friends, family, and coworkers to see if any of them have endured divorce proceedings. It’s perfectly understandable why you would prefer a woman or man for your divorce attorney, but don’t close yourself off from the opportunity that an opposite-sex attorney could align best with your case based on their credentials.

We hope this article helped you make a decision on a Denver divorce attorney.

Author: Chary Manango