New Britain Divorce Lawyer

Are you starting to feel overwhelmed by your divorce?  Well, it’s time to turn things around and regain control.  A New Britain divorce lawyer can be your partner, helping you rebuild your life with confidence and peace of mind.

At Freed Marcroft, our experienced divorce lawyers understand the emotional and practical complexities that come with the end of a marriage.  We also know that divorce is a tremendous opportunity to discover and create the life you’ve always wanted to live However, you have to stay above the chaos and focus on the future.  Our family law attorneys are here to support you every step of the way, providing personalized legal advice and representation tailored to your unique situation and hopes for the future.

From navigating the legal process to guiding you through alimony, property division, custody, and child support — our team of knowledgeable New Britain divorce lawyers professionals is committed to your goals for your life.

Don’t let the chaos of divorce define your future.  With the help of a skilled divorce lawyer in New Britain, you can take the first step towards resolution, rebuilding your life, and discovering an exciting future.

Understanding the New Britain Divorce Process

Divorce can be complicated.  Especially when emotions run high, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.  The key is to stay focused on the future.   Understanding the divorce process is crucial to making informed decisions that set up that future.  This is where a divorce lawyer in New Britain can be invaluable.  They have a deep understanding of the legal system and can guide you through each step of the process.

The traditional divorce process typically begins with serving and filing a divorce petition.  This is a legal document that requests the court to dissolve the marriage.  The other party then has the opportunity to respond.  From there, the process may involve negotiations, court hearings, and potentially a trial, depending on the complexity and level of disagreement between the parties.  Note that mediation and collaborative divorce typically have a very different process than the traditional, litigated divorce process described here.  Freed Marcoft’s team of New Britain divorce lawyers can explain the pros and cons of each approach, given your specific circumstances and priorities.

Steps Involved in the Connecticut Divorce Process

The divorce litigation process can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case, but it generally follows a series of steps.

These steps may include:

1.  Drafting the petition: The traditional divorce process typically begins with one party drafting a divorce petition and accompanying documents.  This legal document outlines the grounds for divorce and requests the court to dissolve the marriage.

2.  Service of process and divorce filing: Once the petition is drafted, you must serve it on the other party.  This ensures that they are aware of the divorce proceedings and have the opportunity to respond.  Sometimes, lawyers accept service on their client’s behalf.  Experienced New Britain divorce attorneys can provide you with more information about your options.  After service, you file the divorce with the court.

3.  Discovery: The discovery process involves gathering and exchanging all relevant information and evidence related to the case.  This may include financial documents, property records, and any other information that may impact the division of assets, child custody, and support arrangements.

4.  Negotiations: In many cases, divorcing parties reach agreements on key issues such as child custody, support, and property division through negotiations.  This can help minimize conflict and reduce the need for court intervention.

5.  Mediation: Meditation may be an option if negotiations are unsuccessful.  Mediation involves a neutral third party who helps facilitate discussions and assists the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.

6.  Court hearings: If the parties cannot reach agreements through negotiations, the case may proceed to court.  Each party presents their case during court hearings, and the judge decides on contested issues.

7.  Final judgment: Once all issues have been resolved through agreements or court decisions, the Connecticut court issues a final divorce judgment.  This document legally ends the marriage and outlines the divorce terms, including child custody, alimony, child support, and property division.

The Role of a New Brtain Divorce Lawyer

A divorce lawyer plays a critical role in putting your goals at the forefront throughout the divorce process.  They advocate, provide legal advice, and represent you in negotiations and court proceedings.  A primary goal is to help you achieve a resolution that moves you toward your goals.

One of the critical roles of a divorce lawyer is to advise you on gathering and analyzing all relevant information and evidence related to your case.  This includes financial documents, property records, and any other relevant information that may impact the division of assets, child custody, and support arrangements.  They will use this information to build your case, support your perspective, and present it in court or during negotiations.

How Do I Find the Right Divorce Lawyer Near Me in New Britain?

Choosing the right divorce lawyer in New Britain is crucial to your divorce experience.  Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a divorce lawyer:

1.  Experience: Look for a lawyer who focuses on family law exclusively and has extensive experience handling divorce cases.  They should deeply understand the laws and court customs about divorce in New Britain.

2.  Reputation: Research the lawyer’s reputation and track record.  Look for client testimonials to get a sense of their style.

3.  Communication and accessibility: Effective communication is essential throughout the divorce process.  Choose a legal team who is responsive and accessible, keeping you informed about the progress of your case and promptly addressing any concerns or questions you may have.  Look for a firm with experienced family law paralegals who know you and your case.

First Meeting with Your Divorce Lawyer

Once you have chosen and retained your New Britain divorce lawyer, prepare for your first meeting with your legal team.  At Freed Marcroft, this is called the Strategy Session.  During this meeting, you can ask questions, share your concerns, and hear your lawyer’s initial strategy proposal.

Be prepared to provide all relevant information about your marriage, including your assets, income, and any children involved.  The more information you can provide, the better equipped the lawyer will be to provide you with tailored advice.

Handling CT Child Custody and Child Support Matters

Child custody and support matters are important issues for divorcing couples when they have children.  A New Britain divorce lawyer can help you navigate these complex issues and work towards a resolution in your children’s best interests.

New Britain Child Custody

When it comes to child custody, there are two main types: physical custody and legal custody.  Physical custody refers to where the child will live.  However, legal custody refers to the right to make crucial decisions regarding the child’s upbringing.  When determining custody arrangements, the court will consider various factors, such as the child’s best interests.  Joint custody is most common in Connecticut.  Freed Marcroft’s knowledgeable divorce lawyers can explain when Connecticut courts tend to decide sole custody is in the child’s best interests.

New Britain Child Support

Child support is another important consideration.  Both parents are expected to provide financial support to their children.  This often results in a court order for one parent to pay child support to the other parent for the child’s financial basics.  Connecticut considers factors such as each parent’s income and the custody arrangement when determining the amount of child support.  An experienced New Britain family attorney can give you their take on how a court would view your particular situation.

Division of Assets and Property

In Connecticut, marital assets are typically subject to equitable distribution, which means they are divided fairly but not necessarily equally.

A New Britain divorce lawyer can help you identify and value all marital assets, including real estate, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property.  They will work with you to develop a strategy for dividing these assets reasonably and beneficially.

It’s important to note that not all assets will necessarily be treated identically.  For example, a court might treat assets acquired pre-marriage or through inheritance or gifts, differently.

Negotiating Alimony

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is another important consideration in divorce cases.  Alimony is the financial support one spouse provides to the other.  Sometimes the payor spouse provides alimony “pendente lite” — or when the divorce is pending.  More commonly, they provide alimony after the marriage ends.  It is intended to help the receiving spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living and transition to financial independence.

The court considers various factors when determining whether spousal support is appropriate and, if so, the amount and duration of the support.  These factors may include the length of the marriage and each spouse’s health, age, and earning capacity of each spouse.

A New Britain divorce lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of spousal support and negotiate for a fair and reasonable outcome.  They will also advocate on your behalf.

Resolving Divorce through Mediation, Collaborative Divorce, or Litigation

Divorce can be highly emotional; sometimes, it can seem hard to envision resolving your disputes outside court.  There are disagreements in almost every divorce, and it’s important to work with a New Britain divorce lawyer who knows who to help support you in reaching out-of-court resolutions when possible.  Divorce mediation and collaborative divorce are two ADR approaches that provide couples with a structure designed to help them reach agreements.

For example, mediation involves a neutral third party who helps facilitate discussions and assists the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.  However, in some cases, litigation may be necessary.  On the other hand, in a collaborative divorce, the spouses’ New Britain divorce lawyers stay by their sides as their work through deciding issues together in a cooperative setting.

In traditional divorce litigation, it’s still possible to reach agreements.  Your divorce attorney will negotiate on your behalf and share settlement proposals with you.

The case proceeds to court if the parties don’t reach agreements through negotiations.  Each party’s attorney presents their case during court hearings, and the judge decides on contested issues.  Your New Britain divorce lawyer will represent your interests in court and present a strong case on your behalf.

Support Provided by a Divorce Lawyer

Aside from the legal aspects of divorce, a New Britain divorce lawyer can also provide valuable emotional support during this challenging time.  They understand the emotional toll that divorce can take and can offer guidance throughout the process.  They can also help you stay focused on your long-term goals.  Freed Marcroft’s New Britain divorce lawyers work with a network of counselors who can provide therapeutic support.

Rebuilding your Life After Divorce

Divorce is a major life transition, and taking the time to rebuild and create a new life for yourself is essential.

Additionally, a divorce lawyer can help you point you toward resources to explore personal growth and self-discovery.  For example, they can provide referrals to career counselors or life coaches who can assist you in identifying and pursuing your post-divorce goals.

Next Steps

Working with a divorce attorney in New Britain can provide numerous benefits, including legal expertise and guidance through each step of the process.  They can help you navigate the complexities of divorce, work towards a fair and favorable resolution, and advocate for you.  With the help of a skilled divorce lawyer, you can rebuild your life with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that you have a trusted legal counselor by your side.  Don’t let the chaos of divorce distract you or define your future.  Take the first step towards resolution, rebuilding your life, and discovering an empowered future with the assistance of Freed Marcroft’s team of New Britain divorce lawyers.