Types of divorce lawyers and skills required
As the name implies, a divorce lawyer specializes in divorces and the laws that regulate the dissolution of marriages. During divorce proceedings, these attorneys are responsible for dividing future and current property and for resolving problems regarding child custody, support and anything else of that nature, such as rights to decision-making.
A divorce lawyer should be well versed in the type of divorce proceeding, such as the following:
The no-fault divorce: where spouses seek a divorce without either of them having to produce any evidence of fault.
The at-fault divorce: In this divorce, one of the spouses must be established at fault to proceed with the divorce. Dependent upon state law, qualifying faults may include infidelity, psychological and/or physical abuse, abandonment, or irreconcilable differences. The type and severity of fault factors into child support payments and property division.
A mediated divorce: This is a collaborative divorce and serves as a substitute for a litigious divorce. Most states require a couple attempt mediation before undergoing divorce litigation to allow the parties involved the opportunity to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution before taking the divorce to court.
Skills divorce attorneys should have:
1. Divorce attorneys should be well versed with everything related to legal relationships, including divorce and marriage.
2. They should be capable enough of investigating and reporting even the most minute details about a divorce in a court of law.
3. They should thoroughly know the state’s legal divorce procedures and laws.
4. They should encourage compromise between the spouses, so that they will consider using a divorce only as a last resort in their relationship.
5. Divorce attorneys should be well-practiced in research and successfully implementing different divorce proceedings.
6. They should be efficient in drafting divorce agreements, custodial agreements, alimony and prenuptial agreements.
7. The divorce lawyer must complete a four-year course of study from an accredited law school. They must be licensed to practice law by passing the Bar Exam for each state in which they choose to practice.
8. Specialization in subjects such as family law or constitutional requires post-graduate study and proves to be advantageous to the divorce lawyer.
The Houston law firm of W. Matthew Waldrop specialize in family legal services, including marital and divorce law, child custody and support, and adoption. When business concerns further complicate a divorce, their additional focus on commercial litigation help speed the process and ensure clients their case has been properly represented in their legal proceedings.
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