Going through a divorce can be very traumatic, particularly if there are young children involved. Naturally, you want to ensure that you get what you deserve in terms of financial settlements and that the interests of any children involved are the priority above everything else. It’s important that you and your ex-partner try to retain some semblance of normalcy for the sake of the children. One of the best ways to prepare for this process is to have a series of questions to ask your family law solicitors in Bella Vista. Be prepared for this in your first consultation, as this will help you make a sound decision as to whether you should hire them. So, what type of questions should you be asking your family law solicitors in Bella Vista?

How much do you charge?

There’s no point getting hyped up about a big shot legal firm if their services are well out of your price range. However, it’s not just about the end figure or price, it’s equally important to understand their pricing structure. How often will invoices be emailed across and when will payment be required? Will services be provided on an hourly basis? These are the types of things you need to consider when meeting with family law solicitors in Bella Vista. Likewise, be on the lookout for pro bono options. This is basically where a firm will provide their services free of charge (likely to gain exposure or further clients).

How do I maximize my child custody arrangements?

Naturally, when going through a divorce, you want to see your children as much as possible. The child custody arrangements and visitation hours are influenced by several factors. Firstly, the quality of parenting provided by both guardians will be assessed. If you have a history with drug abuse or domestic violence, your right to see your children will be drastically reduced. Make sure you consult with family law solicitors in Bella Vista who can help you mount a case, even if it is only for supervised visitation sessions.

Concurrently, it’s also important to understand that the court will generally prefer an even split of custody hours. This is because it is important for children to see both their parents on a consistent basis, especially if both parents are fit and able to care for them. As a result, it’s important to realise that using your family law solicitors in Bella Vista to gain full custody is often rare, particularly if it’s just to spite your ex-partner.

How will our financial assets and debts be split?

As uncomfortable it is to admit, financial settlements are generally the most contentious processes in a divorce. At the end of the day, it’s all about money. Generally, the first step of the financial settlement is to do an evaluation of all assets and liabilities owned by both parties (including de facto relationships). This includes houses and cars.

After all assets and debts have been assessed, your family law solicitors in Bella Vista will commence assessing the contributions you made to these assets (while your partner’s legal team will do the same for him/her). Direct contributions generally refer to things like wages and salaries, whereas indirect contributions could include inheritances and gifts. Furthermore, the court will also consider non-financial contributions, like domestic chores and caring for the children.

Finally, your family law solicitors in Bella Vista will then consider your future needs. This will be predicated on your age, financial capacity to earn and overall health.

What more can do you do for me?

It’s important to put your legal counsel on notice. They should be doing everything in their power to get you best divorce settlement possible. If you’re unhappy with their services, you can always terminate the professional relationship and look at other family law solicitors in Bella Vista.