What You Need to Know Before Getting a Divorce

1. What You Need to Know Before Getting a Divorce Brought to you by Eidelman & Associates

2. Synopsis 1. Signs of a Cheating Partner – Is it time to talk to a Divorce Attorney? Divorce: Do You Really Need A Lawyer? How To Get The Most Out of Your Divorce Attorney Confused Whether You Need a Family Lawyer or Not? Check Your Circumstances Again! Importance of DNA Paternity Testing In Child-Support and Custody Claims Getting Ready for a Child Support Hearing? Know What to Do! 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

3. Signs of a Cheating Partner – Is it time to talk to a Divorce Attorney? • They Spend More Time Away from Home • When you feel that your spouse likes spending time out and come home late, it could be a warning sign. You should not take it lightly especially if they have always been very punctual and spend more time with you after work. If your husband was used to help you with baths, dinner, and bedtime, and has certainly changed, it may be something you need to worry about. A change in the schedule without any explanation about why it has happened deserves your attention. They have Found a New Guys-Only Club • Imagine this: You and your husband have always been spending time together. Your date nights were amazing. Now, suddenly, you notice your husband staying out and become a more active party of a newly found Guys-Only club. Is it normal? Of course not, and it certainly deserves your immediate attention. You need to understand that date night is important to keep your married life working, and the moment it disappears, you start experiencing problems in your relationship that are only going to get worse with time. •

4. Signs of a Cheating Partner – Is it time to talk to a Divorce Attorney? • They have a Secret Credit Card • If you ask a divorce attorney, they will confirm that one of the most common reasons to get divorced is that couples lie about their finances. If you have found a secret credit card in your husband's name, the chances are that they have been helping others shop some nice stuff. When you know that your husband is spending money on something he has not already told you about, it is time to take it seriously and be open about what you feel. It is an extremely important matter, especially if your husband has recently started talking more about financial problems and reasons why he finds it difficult to meet your needs. They are Too Cool or Too Touchy about Their Phone • It is natural for women to check the cell phones of their partner when they think they are cheating. Well, your spouse knows it too, and that may as well be the reason why they do not mind you checking their phone. If your partner is a bit too cool about the cell phone, take it as a red signal. There is a possibility that they have a second phone and use it for their 'other' activities. Similarly, if your spouse does not want anyone to touch their cell phone and they have it locked all the time, it may also indicate that they have an affair going. •

5. Divorce: Do You Really Need A Lawyer? • Instead of seeking the help of a lawyer, you may want to try a third person who will act as a mediator. As a couple, you both should have someone you trust and listen to. This person is expected to offer good advice to keep the family together. You should expect questions such as “will you like your children to be raised by another person?”, “what will happen to your home?”, “do you want your property divided?” The mediator will ensure that you, as a couple, resolve your issue as one. Not only will this save you time and money, it will prevent the occurrence of a looming catastrophe. Furthermore, your children (if you have any) will not have to witness dirty parental fights and abuses. • If the mediator fails to change your minds, all you need to do is to go to court and obtain a written divorce judgment. This piece of paper consolidates that your marriage has been dissolved and both parties are single.

6. How To Get The Most Out of Your Divorce Attorney • Be Honest • Being honest with your attorney will benefit you greatly. You do not need to hide any information from your attorney otherwise he/she will be unable to fully represent your interest. Your attorney will make both tactical and strategic decisions based on the information you provide. Providing inaccurate information will limit the attorney’s ability to deliver a great job. Maintain Realistic Expectations • Divorce can be stressful. Parties involved are usually not in good state psychologically. To this end, a divorce attorney will guide you through the process and advise you on what to expect. If your main priority is to seek revenge against the other party, this may not only prolong the case but also result in more money. The court is very good at dividing properties but lack what it takes to “divide children”. Working with a divorce attorney will keep you abreast of what to expect. •

7. How To Get The Most Out of Your Divorce Attorney • Stay Organized • During the divorce process, you do not have full right to your financial information. At this stage, your spouse has a right to get full information about your finances until after the divorce case is closed. Remember to have all the paperwork and documents ready so your attorney can represent your best interest. Give your attorney easy access to vital information. Provide Information in a Timely Manner • During the divorce process, you need to work hand-in-hand with your attorney. He/ she will make various requests of you. Make sure you are always available and provide whatever information your attorney need to pursue the case in a timely many. Delay in producing the information will not only jeopardize your chances of winning but also increases attorney fees. Consult a Therapist • We all know divorce can be frustrating and challenging. You go through a lot of pain emotionally, psychologically and physically. During this trying time, you need to find a way to relieve yourself of the accumulated stress and pressure. Consulting a professional therapist will go a long way. • •

8. Confused Whether You Need a Family Lawyer or Not? Check Your Circumstances Again! • Are you getting divorced? Yes, you will benefit a lot by working with an experienced lawyer when you are dealing with a divorce case or are filing for legal separation. In this case, your family law attorney and lawyer can work closely with you to devise a plan first. They will tell you how to proceed even before the divorce occurs. They can share their knowledge and help you understand issues related to child support, dividing up the joint property, organizing custody, and alimony payments. You may have to appear in a family court in case there is a disagreement between you and your partner. Again, a family lawyer will stand by your side and prepare your case to get the verdict in your favor. • Are you worried about child support or custody? Hiring a family lawyer makes great sense when you are having a disagreement on child custody and support. Your lawyer can counsel you on legal elements linked with custody law. At the same time, they can also work with your spouse's attorney and lawyer to devise a suitable child support and custody plan. If you still have a disagreement, you may have to go to the family court where again a lawyer can represent in you in a professional way.

9. Confused Whether You Need a Family Lawyer or Not? Check Your Circumstances Again! • Are you interested in adopting a child? Yes, family lawyers do not just help you win a divorce case, but they can also help you understand legalities linked to the idea of adopting a child. Most people do not realize that the legal system of adaptations can be quite complicated and hard-to-understand for an average Joe. Therefore, you will benefit a lot by using experienced legal counsel. Are you a victim of domestic violence? If yes, a family lawyer can help you find justice. Understand that not taking a step to fight domestic violence can alter your life forever. Family lawyers are trained to deal with civil domestic violence cases and they can directly work with you to help you deal with this dangerous situation. Are you a single mother in need of child support payments? If you have been living with your child for quite some time and the father of the child has stopped offering any child support, you may want to talk to a family lawyer for assistance. Understand that these matters can be quite complex and it is better to let a professional take care of everything. • •

10. Importance of DNA Paternity Testing In Child-Support and Custody Claims • A simple DNA home test is capable of exposing fraudulent claims and preventing you from spending fortunes on another man’s child. More than that, you will be at ease that you are not guilty of holding someone else’s child in custody against their will. You cannot imagine how this will aid your financial, mental, and social balance. • The reasons for DNA testing, include:  Protection of parental rights  Addition of father’s name to the child’s birth certificate  Fostering father and child relationship  Improving access to medical information of the family

11. Getting Ready for a Child Support Hearing? Know What to Do! • Be sure to work with an experienced child support attorney and lawyer, and always pay attention to what they say you should or should not do. They will help you get ready for the hearing and tell you how you can increase the chances of getting good results. • Never forget to check every piece of document you receive in the mail from your lawyer or from your ex-husband's lawyer. With so many things going in your mind, it is natural to forget about checking those pieces that may contain valuable information. Be sure to read it once, wait for half an hour and then give it another read. By doing this, you will lower your chances of misinterpreting anything. Keep in mind that giving documentation due importance is vital to your success, and always ensure that you do not put off replying to any request.

12. Getting Ready for a Child Support Hearing? Know What to Do! • Never try to furnish the court with false information. Lying in the court is a criminal offense and it is going to lead to serious consequences. If you try to manipulate information, you will have its impact on your case. Therefore, you should work with your attorney and ensure that you fill out every form with accurate data. Never arrive late. When you arrive late to a hearing, it reflects poorly on your case and tells the judge that you are not a responsible parent. Failing to show up at all is an even bigger mistake. Ideally, you should arrive early – leaving your home early is the best way to deal with unexpected traffic jams and other similar issues. It is important to leave a good impression on the judge. Avoid having unrealistic expectations. While a good child support attorney and lawyer can always help you get a higher compensation, you should not have unrealistic expectations. Keep in mind that the court will consider the information offered by you and your ex, and they will also consider the state's child support guidelines to make a decision. If you think your ex has not supplied the court with correct information, be vocal about it. Just ensure that you do it in a professional way and let your lawyer guide you through the process. • •

13. The End For more details, please visit: http://www.eidelmanassoc.com/allentown-divorce-attorney/ Eidelman & Associates 1248 Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18102 Phone: 610-437-7850