West Palm Beach Divorce Lawyer

Divorce often is a heart-wrenching, emotionally draining, and financially devastating event in people’s lives. Divorce in Florida can include divorce mediation, collaborative divorce, and contested divorce — with or without issues of child timesharing (custody/visitation) rights. During divorce or other times of stress, well-meaning parents can become unreasonable foes, sometimes with children caught in the middle. Indeed, couples who once worked together to build large estates have difficulty dividing them. Thus, winning child timesharing (custody/visitation)  while avoiding child custody battles can be a challenge.

A divorce attorney’s practice focuses on representing people at various stages of marital separation and divorce. Depending on the complexity of the case, divorce attorneys/lawyers in Palm Beach County may be involved in a variety of tasks, including dividing marital assets, determining spousal support, and working with court evaluators on child timesharing (custody/visitation) arrangements for your children. West Palm Beach divorce lawyer Charles D. Jamieson could help you navigate the divorce process and reach a resolution that serves your needs and those of your family.

What are Common Issues in a Divorce?

Multiple issues may arise in a divorce, including:

• Division of assets and debts
• Spousal support/alimony
• Transfer of retirement accounts
• Disposition of a family home
• Timesharing (child custody/visitation) and support, parental responsibilities (decision making)
• Health insurance for spouse and for children
• Payment of legal fees

It may be beneficial to enlist a skilled Palm Beach County attorney early in the divorce process. A lawyer could begin negotiating these issues and advocating for a positive resolution.

How a Divorce Attorney Could Help

A spouse might consider representing themselves in their divorce, but doing so could make the marriage dissolution process even more stressful. There are many ways a knowledgeable divorce attorney in West Palm Beach could be invaluable, both in and out of court.

Negotiate with Opposing Counsel

Emotions can run high in a divorce, and it can be challenging for someone to communicate with their spouse or their spouse’s attorney objectively. Retaining an attorney who could negotiate with opposing counsel increases the chance for a successful settlement. A West Palm Beach lawyer could evaluate the opposing counsel’s offers during the divorce negotiations and recommend the best resolution for an individual.

Full Financial Disclosure

Before spouses can negotiate marital issues such as the division of their property or spousal support, each of them must be fully aware of the other’s finances, including assets and income. In a Palm Beach County divorce, one spouse may attempt to hide marital assets or refuse or fail to disclose certain financial information to avoid the other spouse receiving a portion of it. Experienced attorneys know how to review financial statements, tax returns, and bank accounts to locate any hidden assets and earnings.

Knowledge of the Court System

A myriad of statutes, procedures, and state and local rules govern when, where, and how to initiate and proceed through a divorce. State law also has specific requirements regarding what pleadings must be filed. Without extensive knowledge of the law, it can be challenging to navigate these complex procedures properly.

A nearby divorce lawyer could ensure that all required court documents are filed timely and according to applicable rules. They would be familiar with court policies and prepared to effectively present a case. If the parties reach an agreement, the attorney could draft a comprehensive and enforceable marital settlement agreement memorializing the terms of the divorce.

Reducing Future Conflict

The failure to address all marital issues fully and adequately within the divorce decree can result in conflict after the divorce is over. These unresolved disputes can be financially costly and take a toll on a party’s mental well-being by opening old wounds and jeopardizing the sense of closure. Legal counsel may be required to ensure the resolution of all relevant issues the first time they arise, and they could draft and review the final settlement agreement and divorce decree before submitting them to the court.

Cost of a Divorce

The exact cost of a divorce typically depends on the level of animosity between the parties, the financial circumstances of the couple’s marriage, the complexity of the issues that need to be resolved, and whether the case is litigated in Court. Often, a divorce will cost between 10% and 20% of the couple’s net assets, also known as the asset base of their marriage. However, a relatively simple divorce, such as one involving no children, may be much less costly.

Who is Responsible for Covering the Cost of a Divorce?

When determining who will cover the cost associated with the divorce, a legal team will often look at the relative economic circumstances of each party, such as their income and their available liquid assets. If the parties have relatively equal circumstances, the divorce cost will be split 50/50. This occurs in the majority of cases. However, if there is a clear disparity between the two party’s financial situation, a different arrangement could be pursued.

Call an Experienced Divorce Attorney in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County

A firm believer that current knowledge of the issues is vital to success, Mr. Jamieson regularly participates in continuing legal education in various areas of divorce law, such as timesharing (custody/visitation/) child support, spousal support, asset valuation, division of marital property and debts, and others — making him exceptional in both Florida family law and among divorce attorneys in Palm Beach County.

In the event that a divorce case cannot be resolved amicably, West Palm Beach divorce lawyer Charles D. Jamieson provides assertive, proactive representation of his clients to maximize their chances of obtaining their primary goals. In addition to offering services for contested divorce, he offers Collaborative Divorce as an option for couples who choose a cooperative method. Mr. Jamieson has also acted as a legal consultant for individuals in contested divorce cases in states across the country. Call today to learn more.