Santa Ana, California Divorce Lawyer

When Should You Hire a Divorce Attorney?

Although there are many things individuals can do for themselves with the help of internet tutorials and the vast amount of information available online, divorce is typically a process that you don’t want to go through on your own. Even though avoiding the cost of paying a legal professional for their services may seem like a good way to save money, any potential savings can be wiped out should the case become more complicated. Divorce often creates unforeseen roadblocks that a Santa Ana divorce attorney can help you escape before they affect your case.

There are a few basic reasons most divorcing individuals choose to hire divorce attorneys from the start, including:

• Avoiding delays. Attorneys who handle divorce cases every day know the process thoroughly. Thus, they can ensure all paperwork is filed on time and without mistakes that can hold up your ability to finalize your divorce.
• Clear and binding agreements. You want your divorce decree to clearly state your wishes, free of ambiguous language and errors that may prove difficult to enforce. A legal professional can handle this concern effectively.
• Avoiding mistakes. It is easy to make small errors in divorce details when you are under the stress of a dissolving marriage, and these mistakes could affect your entire future. An attorney can ensure your divorce decree does not miss or misrepresent any details.
• Less stress. There are so many divorce-related tasks to handle when you are going through a divorce that it is often difficult to keep up with everyday life. Your legal representative can handle the majority of your divorce for you, allowing you more time to work through your anxiety and focus on yourself and your family.
• Expert advice. Most individuals have never been through a divorce before, and even if they have, they do not always understand exactly what is at stake. Your attorney has the knowledge to guide you through every phase of your divorce and ensure you make the best decisions.

Why Hire a Santa Ana Divorce Lawyer?

In addition to these basics, there are myriad other reasons to hire a Santa Ana divorce attorney. Every marriage and every divorce is unique, and each one comes with its own set of complications. Some of the details that may require the assistance of a legal professional may include the following.

• You and your spouse are at an extremely bitter stage of a concluding marriage, and reaching an amicable agreement seems highly unlikely.
• There was abuse or domestic violence in your relationship.
• You own a business with your spouse.
• You and/or your spouse have substantial assets, such as a home holding a value of more than a few thousand dollars.
• You have children and foresee a dispute over child custody.

These are but a few of the many reasons to hire a divorce lawyer. Even if none apply to you, keep in mind that if you are like most people, you may not know what to expect while facing divorce. Having the peace of mind of knowing a qualified professional is looking out for your best interests may prove to be invaluable.

What Is the Difference Between a Divorce Lawyer and Attorney?

The short answer to this question is that there is not much difference between a divorce lawyer and a family law attorney. Each of these legal professionals handle the details of the dissolution of a marriage, but they can also assist in matters that extend far beyond divorce proceedings. These matters may include child support, child custody, and factors that apply to diverse types of couples, including those who are not married but have lived together.

In fact, neither one indicates lesser or greater degrees of capability. Both divorce lawyers and family law attorneys handle everything from name changes, mediation, and restraining orders to adoption, child custody and visitation, and premarital, separation, and post-marital agreements. Given the proper professional knowledge and dedication to your case, you can rest assured either legal professional can help you navigate your divorce case.

How Much Does it Cost to Retain a Divorce Attorney?

As you might expect with any legal matter, there are many factors that may affect the cost of hiring a Santa Ana divorce attorney. Many of the unique situations that complicate divorce proceedings, such as child custody, asset distribution, business ownership, and domestic violence issues, can contribute to the overall cost of retaining a divorce lawyer. In most situations, a skilled divorce attorney will require a retainer from a new client before beginning to work on their divorce case. This is a deposit that you make upfront to cover services the lawyer will provide once you sign the fee agreement.

You want to know that your divorce attorney will dedicate a fair amount of time to your case, and they want to know that they will receive payment for their efforts. The retainer is a way to assure each party that their needs are met. Retainer fees typically fall between $3,000 and $10,000, based on the potential complexity of your divorce case as determined by the attorney. These retainer fees are placed into a trust account once they are paid and remain there until the attorney earns the money by completing the job.

How Do You Get a Divorce When You Can’t Afford a Lawyer?

Many individuals facing a divorce dread the prospect of having to live on a lower income than they have been accustomed to during married life, and the thought of paying a lawyer often adds to that stress. However, a Santa Ana divorce attorney can help you secure a better financial future after your divorce and ensure fair distribution of your assets. However, if you are in a situation in which you simply have no money to spend on an attorney, there are a few options available to you:

• Represent yourself. Self-representation is not recommended in most cases, but if you are filing for an uncontested divorce, meaning you and your spouse can settle things amicably with no disagreements about the terms, you may consider self-representation. You may also represent yourself if your divorce is contested, but it will involve doing a great deal of research and hoping you don’t make any detrimental mistakes along the way.
• Get a loan. Bank loans, credit cards, and even borrowing from family or trusted friends is a way some individuals finance their divorce attorney. However, it is critical to ensure you will be able to pay the loan back. A personal loan is often the best option in cases where the individual expects to receive a lump sum of money from the divorce after the liquidation and division of assets.
• Court-appointed attorneys. If you are truly in dire financial straits, you may qualify for a court-appointed attorney. A court-appointed lawyer can handle protection issues, child custody, and visitation, but you will likely need to represent yourself in all other areas, including financial matters, As a result, most individuals avoid this route and try to find a way to hire an attorney who can handle all details of their divorce.
• Pro bono attorneys. The term pro bono comes up so frequently when individuals can’t afford an attorney that it often appears lawyers frequently offer their services at no cost. Unfortunately, the fact is that lawyers, like anyone else, cannot afford to work for free, especially on cases as difficult and time-consuming as a contested divorce. You may be able to find an attorney who will take your case pro bono, but it is not very likely.

Although there are options for individuals who cannot afford an attorney, the best course of action is to secure professional legal representation. A divorce attorney will help you ensure you do not make any mistakes that could affect your future. Handling matters on your own during an extremely stressful time is simply too risky.

Hire a Divorce Attorney You Can Count On

If you are facing a divorce and feel uncertain regarding where to turn, it is time to reach out to a Santa Ana divorce attorney who can help you pursue your best interests. A caring, experienced divorce lawyer like the team at Jewels J. Jin, Esquire, APC can offer your best chance of ensuring your divorce proceeds with all the necessary documentation. As a result, you will enter the next chapter of your life with all the tools you need to come out on top. Reach out to our Santa Ana, California divorce attorneys to request a no-cost consultation.