You have decided to file for divorce in Utah. Expectedly, this is a tough time, and you would need all the support you can possibly get. While friends and family can offer emotional support, legal advice should only come from a skilled family law attorney. Utah allows for both fault-based and no-fault divorce. If you want to get assistance, you need to be prepared for the first meeting with your attorney. Here are some things to think before meeting a Salt Lake City divorce lawyer.
- How much marital assets do you own? Utah allows for equitable division of assets, but that doesn’t always mean equal. Consider the total worth of marital assets owned by you and your spouse. Your lawyer would want to know the basic details, so as to offer an opinion.
- What do I want from child custody? Not all parents want physical custody of minor kids. It is a matter of your circumstances and the amount of time you can devote to parenting. Lawyers will understand the interests of the client, before helping with separation and custody agreements.
- Do I need alimony? Either spouse can ask for spousal support or alimony. However, the court will consider a bunch of factors before deciding on that, including fault and financial status of both spouses.
- Did I sign a prenuptial agreement? Many couples do have prenuptial agreements, which they often forget about. If you had such an agreement with your spouse, let the lawyer know, because it can impact other terms of the divorce.
- Was there a history of domestic violence? Your lawyer will ask about this, especially if you are filing for fault-based divorce. If you want to mention domestic violence in your divorce, you must be able to provide evidence or witnesses for that.
- How much can I afford to pay the attorney? All divorce lawyers either work on a retainer fee, or charge an hourly rate. They should be able to give an overview of their fee in advance. In addition to your attorney, there are filing and court costs involved. Let your attorney know of your financial status.
Having clear interests will help in sorting your divorce sooner. Make sure to hire a known and reliable divorce lawyer and make room for talks. Courts will usually encourage separating spouses to sort issues related to child custody and child support amicably among themselves. Your attorney is instrumental for the mediation.