Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
Consultations to Ease Your Mind
For instant peace of mind, nothing beats talking with a divorce lawyer who understands the law and is on your side. Our consultations are in-depth and designed to answer your questions. A divorce is not only an emotional gut punch and lifestyle hard turn, it’s a strategy you develop with a trusted professional. A lot of planning goes into a good divorce. The more lead time you have, the better prepared you’ll be when the time comes to file.
If you’re considering a divorce, set up a time to talk to us today. We’ll help you understand the ups and downs, ins and outs, and sideways feelings you’ll have on this journey.
Plan Ahead
“Plan ahead and prepare” is the first rule of wilderness survival, and it’s the first rule to navigate the wilderness of divorce, too. Working in family law and divorce in Washington state for 30 years, we offer tips born of experience. Learn more about Pre-divorce planning.
Sage
If needed, say a lawyer recommended this: lock yourself in the car and have a good cry…or feral scream. Get some exercise, even if it’s just around the block. Take a hot bath. Watch a dumb movie. Take care of yourself, is what we’re saying. You’ll need energy to get through the next several months. Do the self-care version of putting the oxygen mask on yourself first.
How to Find Your Team of Experts.
You’re about to embark on a pretty intense relationship involving skilled practitioners. You need an experienced family law attorney you can confide in. When you interview a lawyer, you’re interviewing the team too. Aided by dedicated paralegals and a diverse team of trusted experts, hiring a lawyer at DuBois Levias is like gaining a whole backup squad. In some cases, this might include a financial expert, a CPA, a parenting expert, or a vocational therapist.
Pre-Divorce Planning
Beyond finding a lawyer in your venue (a fancy legal term for where you’re divorcing—like Seattle or Bellevue in King County, Washington), here are three critical things to check off the big deal list.
Post-Divorce Challenges
At the end of the day, after some incredibly stressful months, you’re divorced. Hurray! Keep that positive energy by staying away from common pitfalls.
Our Experience
Case Concerns: Available When You Are
Like you, our lawyers have jobs and kids and busy lives, but we know how to get back to you with good timing. Even if that means calling on your lunch break or outside the normal 9 to 5 hours. We keep an eye out for you, always. Each of our lawyers is paired with a dedicated paralegal so you’ve got a daily go-to.
FAQ
What are the first moves to make in a divorce?
First off, a reminder, you deserve happiness. On the daily. Whether you’ve been served or want to map out an independent future, contact us for personal insight on your optimal next steps. If you have yet to say the D word out loud to your spouse, it’s wise to get in touch for advice on how to divulge the divorce information as it can impact the case. This is especially vital in situations with domestic violence or other power imbalance. If you’ve been served, call us and provide a copy of all the paperwork you’ve received in advance of the consultation. Check to see if there are any hearing dates and read any document that is signed by a judge and called an order.
What will my divorce look like?
You might ask a magic 8 ball this, or you could take a cold hard look at your soon-to-be-ex. Especially who they end up picking for their divorce lawyer. Beyond your own wishes and efforts for how the divorce will go, these key factors will define the course of your divorce more than anything. If you think you ex might be combative or greedy, do the discovery legwork before you address the situation head on. Even set up a new email that no one has access to except you and your lawyer. Secure your family law attorney and map out your strategy early. If your spouse is controlling, especially if there’s a clear power imbalance or domestic violence, let your lawyer know to help you figure out how to approach your situation.
What will my divorce feel like?
Each divorce, like each marriage, is one (pair) of a kind. But each divorcee goes through distinct stages of “the feels” on this emotional rollercoaster. First off, disbelief and contradiction. If you’re still seeing your relationship through rose-colored glass, you are here. The coming rage and resentment stage is a hot flash emotional point where everything reminds you of the bad times. The fix and repair phase has you rethinking all your decisions. Unfortunately, hopelessness can then take over. This depressed spell requires you to remain strong and connected to a therapist and positive friends and family members who remind you who you are. Next, recognition and acknowledgment carry you through to acceptance. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. And it’s a stylish lamp in your own place.
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