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Brentwood Divorce Lawyer Helps with Pre-Divorce Planning


Making changes early, thinking ahead can make divorce go more smoothly

You don’t have to wait until you’re facing off in court to start figuring out the division of some of your assets. You don’t even have to wait until you have filed for divorce to start working through your finances or figuring out who is going to live where. A little planning now can save you a lot of trouble later, and it may even move your divorce along faster.

I’m Judy A. Oxford, an experienced Brentwood divorce lawyer, and I help clients who are thinking about divorce or who have recently filed understand what they can do now to plan for their divorce and make the process easier. I sit down with my clients and walk them through financial and logistical issues and help them understand what they can do about those things now. By the time my clients sit down at the negotiation table or stand in front of a judge, they have a much better idea of what they want and where things are going so they can be focused and prepared to fight if needed.

What can you do to get ready for divorce before you file?

Not everyone waits until they’ve told their spouse they want a divorce to start talking to a divorce attorney. In fact, it’s better to talk to a lawyer as soon as you start to think you might want a divorce. I advise my clients on what steps to take to get the best division of assets, to get the child custody arrangement they want, or to get other things they want, like alimony.

I also help my clients plan the logistical steps they should take to start dissolving the marriage, such as:

Everything you do leading up to the divorce can affect its outcome. For example, if you move out of the house, you may in a practical sense be giving up a claim to keep the house after the divorce. I help my clients understand what legal issues are at stake with the decisions they make now. I also help them to make the best strategic moves financially without running afoul of the law. For example, they may be able to maximize cash assets by moving around accounts, but certain transfers could be penalized. I help clients understand the law and give them advice on what steps to take for maximum benefits.

Getting marriage counseling as part of divorce planning

I might recommend that my clients attend counseling before they file for divorce or before the divorce is finalized. Some find this recommendation puzzling when they are sure that they want a divorce. However, counseling isn’t just for couples who want to salvage the marriage. I might recommend that couples seek counseling to be sure that this is what they want, but I may also recommend counseling so that couples can develop productive communication skills that will help them work through their divorce more quickly and more amicably.

Marriage counseling can help you work through some of the anger, resentment, and hurt you may be feeling, both in leading up to the divorce and as a result of the impending divorce. When couples are able to work through these feelings in counseling, they are much better able to discuss issues of finance, child custody, and division of assets more calmly and objectively. That makes the process go more quickly, which not only saves both parties money in legal fees but also gives them the chance to put things behind them and move on.

Divorce is rarely easy, but doing the right divorce planning can make it a little easier. Call me, Judy A. Oxford, an experienced Brentwood divorce lawyer, to begin learning about your legal rights and responsibilities, and to start putting together the right divorce plan. You can call my office at (615) 791-8511 or use the secure online form to schedule a free consultation. I am a dedicated attorney who will protect your rights while offering compassionate guidance through what is a hard time for many.

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Brentwood Family Law, Criminal Defense And Business Lawyer At Your Service

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Contact my office directly to schedule an initial consultation at 615-791-8511 in the Brentwood area. I also respond to e-mails that briefly describe your situation and concerns.

We will begin by answering TWO questions: What is the ideal goal given your situation? What is the best path to trying to achieve it?