Divorce is undeniably pricey at times. For couples that don’t have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, dividing assets or creating a parenting plan can be a nightmare that stretches on for months, or even years. I think almost everyone can agree that the best possible outcome is that divorce agreements and parenting plans wrap up conveniently on schedule, under budget, and best of all: amicably. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. In order to make sure your divorce settlement is as efficient as possible, it’s important to remember that spending a little more than expected in the beginning can save you money in the long run.
The Difference Between A “Good” Attorney & A “Great” One
When it comes to divorce settlements, it’s important to note that Florida is an equitable distribution state, which means that the court will divide all “marital property,” or assets acquired during the marriage will be split evenly. For some attorneys and their clients, going to court could be considered a “practical” option if negotiations don’t go well. Going to court is not only the most expensive route, but it’s the most time-consuming and, in many cases, can feel dehumanizing. Airing out all of your family’s dirty laundry for everyone in court to consider as “evidence” can be a horrible experience. A great attorney will not only effectively advocate on your behalf in or outside of court but will appreciate the value of mediation. In fact, it’s so important to our firm, we are not only certified mediators, but we also have a motto: “Settle when we can, fight when we must.”
It can become a little more complicated when considering assets acquired before marriage, but that doesn’t mean that ex-spouses are not entitled to a single cent. Maybe an ex bought a house before you were married, but after you moved in, you started contributing towards making payments toward the mortgage or investing in upgrading or maintaining the property. In order for a divorce agreement to be more equitable, an attorney should make sure they look at every possible angle and present them as a piece of the puzzle during negotiations. The majority of divorce cases do not go to court, and that’s for a good reason.
Experience Is Key!
Although some people might want to take things to court, an experienced legal team has the experience and the resources to perform the required due diligence. Negotiation is a skill that every effective attorney should have, but deep knowledge and understanding of the law are required to keep the other party on their toes. When investing in effective representation, finding an experienced legal team is going to yield the best results and provide the best value for money. Our attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience in helping clients achieve their family and life goals. You can read more about our amazing team in the “About” section of our website.
Less experienced attorneys tend to be less expensive, but that kind of service can have unexpected costs in the long run. For example, a less experienced attorney may miss important details and make mistakes that negatively affect the outcome. Even intelligent, well-meaning attorneys can be guilty of this because their resources are spread so thin. Attorneys with fewer resources may not have the time to examine important documents or give as much attention to your case because they have to take on more clients to make ends meet. Their team is likely to be much smaller or inexperienced themselves, which will impact the overall quality of service you receive.
Choosing the right attorney for your divorce may not be easy, but remember that the outcome of the divorce agreement or parenting plan can impact your long-term financial stability. Selecting the least expensive option often means sacrificing many more important factors. Before finding a firm that is less established, less expensive, and perhaps even less effective, consider this: How much is my happiness worth to me?
There is a happy life waiting for you. Our trusted Legal Team provides bilingual legal services in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. We handle all financial aspects of Florida Divorces, including Mediation, Postnuptial Agreements, and Asset Protection.
