Springfield will undeniably define the legal end of your marriage as your divorce. But the practical case is a lot less straightforward. Since it has the ability to take a great financial and even greater emotional toll on each one of you, it is important that you make the right choice here.
While you are nearing the end of the marriage, you will need a lawyer you can trust in the least and expect him to be experienced in resolving a divorce case of his client favorably. In this case, a Springfield divorce attorney can represent your case perfectly.
Attorneys in Missouri interchange divorce with legal separation from the spouse, and it is essentially the same. Let’s take a look at the processes in the case preparation in which your attorney will be your ally:
View here to learn more about Divorce attorney law.
Step 1: Petitions
The petitions precede the divorce proceedings in the Court and are usually filed by either of the spouses. Your attorney will collect the relevant documents from the Petitioner or Plaintiff.
The Petitioner or yourself may be required to submit more documents than you would expect. If both of you haven’t filed for divorce, your husband/wife is likely to be the Respondent or the one who didn’t file for divorce. The latter has to submit a limited number of documents and can even file a Cross-Petition detailing his position on the facts and his/her reliefs.
As your attorney will tell you, filing a will, Cross-Petition always saves you from being thudded under the Petitioner’s extreme wish list. But it must be done within a limited time.
Step 2: Motions
If you have an issue that cannot wait till the end of the divorce proceedings, your attorney will suggest you file motions for temporary orders. However, avoiding filing this order will reduce your attorney bills and make a good impression on the judge.
Step 3: Discovery
In this step, your attorney will gather the information that makes your case stand strong during the trials. The information and data collected here are what the attorney presents to the Court.
Step 4: Settlement
Your case may settle on the trial day or may take longer. The agreement made in this step of the process will take the focus of control of the judge with his verdict to you and your partner.
So this is where you thoroughly enter a discussion with your attorney and your opponent does the same. This is a crucial step if you need to keep an eye out for money and time considerations.
Remember that with your attorney in your trial loop, discussing the agreement settlement with your partner at this stage will be a mistake, as the former is more on your side now, and the latter has higher chances than ever to press their unrealistic expectations.
Any litigation fallout may also double the fees of your attorney.
Step 5: Divorce Pre-Trial Conferences
Here, not just your attorney but that of the Respondent will discuss with the judge’s input what could be the merits of the case. This step can help both parties estimate the financial and emotional expenses of the trial and hence promote a more rational negotiation.
Step 6: The Trial
As the statistics reveal, fewer than 5% of divorce cases go to trial, although that may vary. Your trial length will depend on the complexity of your case, its inherent issues, and the rulings of the Court and can last between hours to weeks.
During this step, you as the Petitioner can present your evidence through witnesses and exhibits. With the Petitioner at “rest,” the Respondent can begin, followed by the Court’s decision on “rebuttal” according to evidence and the final judgment.
Summing Up
Even with your documents and exhibits to help you with the complex processes and steps, the stress from the case can be overwhelming. But remember, the key to solving a legal issue is the understanding of the rules that can function in your favor.
This is where an experienced divorce attorney can help you assess the concerns and dispositions of family laws and the Springfield courts.
To adjust the case such that it suits the judge without fabricating the reality and to grant you emotional or even financial security at times, you need attorneys who can help their clients in the long term and hence act in your best interest.