Going through a divorce can be one of the most emotionally devastating events in your life. It’s often the last thing you expect from your marriage. Regrettably, some marriages cannot survive the trials of life, and divorce is often the only option to preserve your finances, your emotional resilience, and your dignity. It’s understandable to be upset, but you should prioritize protecting yourself by hiring a Kansas City, MO, divorce lawyer as soon as you can. They can help.
The Benefits of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
Arguably, the most important decision you will make throughout the duration of your divorce case is choosing the right lawyer to represent your case. You are going to want to hire someone who approaches your case with understanding, patience, empathy, compassion, and experience. Above all, you are going to want to retain someone you can trust. Divorces can get personal and ugly. You want to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of by a jilted spouse.
A substantial number of divorces are not amicable, particularly if there is a child custody arrangement hanging in the balance. Many divorces are petty, vengeful, and emotionally distressing. Deciding to end your marriage is never a decision that’s taken lightly. It’s one of the most significant life decisions you can make, and the impact it will have on your future will be noteworthy. Marriages often end due to a breach of trust, infidelity, abuse, or outside influence.
When you hire an experienced divorce lawyer, they can keep you focused during a time when your mind may be moving in many different directions. After all, it’s not like your entire life just stops and waits for your divorce to finalize, which could take a great deal of time. You’ll be worrying about your job, your kids, your finances, your housing situation, and more. A good divorce lawyer can take charge of your case and allow you to focus on rebuilding your life.
Contested Versus Uncontested
Essentially, there are two kinds of divorce that you can pursue in Missouri. Depending on your situation, you may not have much choice in which one you want to pursue. The ideal solution is to try for an uncontested divorce, but if there is mistrust or resentment in your relationship, that likely won’t happen. The other way is a contested divorce, and that can turn into a real mess if you are not careful.
Sometimes, a marriage ends because two people fall out of love. They recognize this, try to work on it, realize ending the marriage is a better option, and work together to make things as simple as possible. This is an uncontested divorce, and it is the result of two like-minded partners deciding amicably to end their marriage. They may work together to decide how to divide marital assets, how to parent children, whether spousal support will be a factor, and more.
Other times, a divorce is the result of many months or even years of built-up resentment and buried pain. When it does finally come out, it is often not pretty. When one spouse decides to file for a divorce, the other spouse may see it as a threat to what they feel they are entitled to. Thus begins a contested divorce. A lawyer can help you protect yourself as you try to negotiate with your spouse. Often, a judge has to decide on certain matters for you.
FAQs
Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for My Divorce in Missouri?
A: While you technically are not legally required to retain legal counsel for your divorce, it is still highly recommended that you seek out legal assistance any time you are dealing with a legal issue. After all, having someone in your corner who understands the complexities of the law and is willing to provide you with quality assistance can only benefit you in the long run. It’s important to have help from someone with experience handling cases similar to yours.
Q: How Long Will My Divorce Take in Missouri?
A: There is no telling how long your divorce might take in Missouri. Every divorce case is different, with each case having its own details and circumstances that are going to affect how long it takes to settle. If the divorce is uncontested, it is going to take considerably less time to finalize. A contested divorce is going to take as long as it takes. Certain factors have to be considered, such as asset division, child custody, residency requirements, and more.
Q: How Is Legal Separation Different From Divorce?
A: In Missouri, legal separation differs from divorce in a big way. A legal separation can be done, though it is fairly rare if the couple has a real chance of a possible reconciliation. In a legal separation, the spouses divide property, work out a parenting plan, decide on child support, and live separately, but on paper, they are still married. Legal separation may be a viable option for some couples who aren’t quite ready to divorce but are considering all possibilities.
Q: How Do I Start the Divorce Process in Missouri?
A: The most effective way to begin the divorce process is to speak with an experienced divorce lawyer. Even if you and your spouse are pursuing an uncontested divorce, there is still a lot of paperwork to be done and deadlines to meet for filing. Retaining the services of an experienced lawyer can make things easier for you. They can handle the paperwork and filing while also ensuring that you are not taken advantage of in the proposed settlement.
Seek Out a Lawyer If You Want
When you get married, you tend to expect it to be a lifelong commitment. When it ends, you may feel confused about what to do next. You may feel isolated, betrayed, bewildered, and even quite angry. You may even feel totally blindsided and guilty about not being able to fix things. Everyone’s situation is going to be different, but you should reach out to an experienced divorce lawyer if you are on the verge of going through your own divorce.
The legal team at Stange Law Firm understands the kind of legal assistance you are going to need to fight for yourself in a divorce. Contact us to speak with a team member about your case and a possible consultation.
