Your marriage is over, and it is time to file for divorce. No matter how you process the news, you must understand that divorce is a complex matter concerning many aspects besides obvious emotional distress. You need to be practical about you deal with things, and in Alabama, you can get an uncontested divorce, provided your spouse wants the same. You must also resolve all issues that may pertain to the separation, such as child custody, alimony, distribution of debts & assets, and child support. Looking for a Huntsville divorce lawyer near me is a good idea before you initiate legal proceedings. People often don’t want to hire an attorney because of the financial expenses, but affording legal counsel is easy. Here are some things to know.
Uncontested divorces
The cost of a divorce lawyer in your county will largely depend on whether your divorce is a contested one. If yours is an uncontested divorce, you can expect to complete the process online, and your lawyer has very little to do except for dealing with the paperwork. You and your spouse can decide on all key issues and come up with an arrangement that’s acceptable to both. Your lawyer will draft a marital separation agreement, which will be submitted to the court. There is a 30-day mandatory waiting period, following which your divorce will be finalized when the judge approves the agreement. Many lawyers charge a flat rate for uncontested divorces in Huntsville.
Contested divorces
If your spouse wants to contest the divorce or there are significant disagreements on issues like child custody, alimony, or assets, you will have to go for a contested divorce. A contested divorce may require you to go for mediation in many counties, and a trial could take multiple hearings to reach a conclusion. In such cases, lawyers take an hourly rate, and because there is no way to figure out the time for a contested divorce, the costs could be significantly higher. You will have to pay a retainer fee to your attorney and an hourly rate based on the work involved.
Final word
Avoid a contested divorce if you want to keep the costs in check. Let your lawyer negotiate things with your spouse and their attorney; sometimes, even mediation can help avoid a trial. A contested divorce will drain you financially, which is the last thing you want. Call a lawyer to know about getting an online divorce.
