Deciding that your marriage is no longer working can be a challenging reality to face, but for so many, it comes with a sense of relief. Despite this, complex legal issues may be involved, and you deserve proper representation. This is where a divorce lawyer in Vancouver can help.
At Dellino Family Law, we understand how divorce can affect families, and we are here to help make the process as smooth as possible. With over 180 years of combined experience, we are here to advocate for you as your Vancouver family lawyer.
A Vancouver Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Make Decisions Before You File
Depending on your situation, there are many things to consider when approaching your divorce. By speaking with an attorney ahead of time, you can prioritize what is most important to you. Questions to consider may include:
- Is the separation a mutual decision, or will you face pushback?
- Are there children involved?
- Are there high-value assets involved?
- If there are assets involved, what is most important to you?
- Do you have a prenuptial agreement?
- Will both of you be financially secure post-divorce, or will spousal support need to be considered?
Each person has their own priorities, and every case is different. By speaking with an experienced attorney, they can help you understand who gets what in a divorce, and you can feel confident knowing that you have covered all of your bases and are going into any divorce proceedings prepared.
Reaching a Mutual Agreement May Give You and Your Spouse More Control
In many cases, spouses decide to go through mediation rather than going to court. Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating discussions to help you reach mutually agreed-upon decisions. While the mediator cannot force legally binding decisions, they can act as an unbiased liaison between the parties.
Often, mediation does not happen face-to-face. Instead, each party and their respective legal team are in separate rooms, and the mediator moves between rooms to relay information back and forth. This can help prevent the situation from becoming overly confrontational and keep either party from becoming hostile.
Under Washington State’s Uniform Mediation Act, all discussions are kept confidential while going through the mediation process. This means that if a mutual decision cannot be reached, no part of the mediation process may be used as evidence at trial, allowing each party to make every effort to reach an amicable decision.
High-Conflict Divorces May Require A Different Legal Strategy
While most would prefer a smooth separation, where assets are divided fairly and custody decisions are agreed upon by all, this is not always the case. Oftentimes, these cases require an experienced legal team to help navigate. If your spouse is unwilling to agree upon fair terms during mediation, a trial before a judge may be necessary. This often involves:
- More time spent in court
- Additional documents to be filed
- Evidence to be collected
- Collecting all financial records
- Strategic Planning
- Decisions being made by a judge rather than by the spouses
If going to trial is the best course for your situation, Dellino Family Law is here to walk with you, provide legal support, assist with all court preparations, and represent you before the judge to present the best possible case.
Divorce Can Change What Financial Security Looks Like
Financial situations look different for every couple, but they all have one thing in common: finances change after a divorce. Working with a Vancouver divorce attorney can help you understand your rights when it comes to dividing assets and what future finances may look like.
Some couples have two high earners in the home. Many would assume that after divorce they would remain financially stable, but transitioning from a dual-income to a single-income household can still cause unexpected financial stress.
On the contrary, you could have a single income or one low earner, and when divorce happens, finances look different. The higher earner may be required to pay spousal support (RCW 26.09.090) or child support (RCW 26.19), so what was once a single income sustaining one household has now become a single income contributing to two households.
What You Agree to Today Can Follow You After Divorce
One of the biggest mistakes many people make during a divorce is not fully understanding what they are signing or agreeing to, or agreeing to something just to hurry and finalize without consulting a divorce attorney in Vancouver or truly thinking through whether it is the right decision for them.
Many people want to understand how to avoid financial blunders during divorce, and it begins with choosing the right attorney. At Dellino Family Law, we help guide you through every step of the process, providing legal advice and knowledge to help you make an informed decision or offering up alternatives if something doesn’t feel right.
Making the right choices today can help prevent regret down the road. Before agreeing to any legally binding agreement, read through it thoroughly, consult your lawyer, and be sure to check for any missed items that may have been previously discussed that weren’t included, or things you may have thought of later.
The Divorce Decree Is Not Always The Last Word
When appealing a divorce decision, such as how assets are divided, it is rare for a judge to reverse it, except in extreme scenarios, such as one party hiding assets or a judge making a mistake regarding the law.
There are, however, certain aspects of divorce, typically those involving children, that may justify amending an agreement. This can include parenting plans, child support, spousal maintenance, or relocation if a child is involved.
Financial situations, schedules, and responsibilities can change, which may require amending parenting plans or support orders. Working with a knowledgeable attorney can help these scenarios run smoothly, allowing both parties to ideally reach a fair conclusion on their own or, if needed, representing you in court.
Start Your Next Chapter With Dellino Family Law
You deserve an advocate who will fight for you. At Dellino Family Law, our primary goal is to secure an outcome that most benefits you and your family.
Contact our Vancouver divorce attorney today to schedule a consultation and begin the next chapter of your life.
