For many people in Kentucky, getting started is the hardest part of the divorce process. Some people have no idea what to expect or how their spouse will react to the news. Filing for divorce can be nerve-wracking, but the process is simpler than it looks.
How do you start the divorce process?
To start, you’ll have to file a petition for divorce. This officially starts the divorce process and might come with temporary orders for child custody and living situations. Your divorce attorney may help you fill out additional paperwork like a divorce summons and information about your financial situation.
Once you’ve filed the petition, you’ll have to serve your spouse with the divorce papers. Afterwards, they’ll fill out their own paperwork and send it to the court. At this point, you might be able to settle your divorce out of court. Some couples use mediation to resolve their issues without going to trial. Others use a prenuptial agreement that they signed before they got married to divide up their assets.
If the discussions get heated, you and your spouse might have to go to court to resolve the case. Your attorney may help you through this process to improve your chances of getting a positive outcome in disputes over child custody, spousal support, division of properties and other issues.
Should you hire an attorney right away?
Some spouses try to settle their divorce without hiring an attorney. This can cause a number of legal issues, ranging from fighting over assets to not filing the paperwork correctly. If you work with an attorney from the beginning, you might have a faster and easier divorce than if you tried to figure it out on your own. Your attorney may also defend you if your spouse makes false accusations.