It’s natural for couples to get a divorce once things start to go downhill. It could either be because of financial troubles or constant conflict. Besides, it is better to go your separate ways instead of continuing to make things difficult for each other. However, the process of divorce is not simple. Not only do you have to take care of legal matters, but you also have to look for a divorce lawyer in Singapore.
When Should You Hire a Divorce Lawyer?
It is possible to go through a divorce without the help of a lawyer— especially if it is an uncontested divorce. You and your spouse may discuss the big issues amicably, and come up with a fair agreement. If this is the case, then you may request the court to grant you a divorce. However, even if there is no dispute between you and your spouse, you still need someone who could look through the petition for the divorce. This is when you need the help of a divorce lawyer. They will be the one who will review the petition to make sure that the requests of both parties are met.
However, if it is not an uncontested divorce, then the more reason to hire one. Look for someone who could fight with you in court. They should also someone who could help you and your spouse to agree. During your search, the first thing you would have to go through is the consultation. You have to be prepared before going through a divorce consultation. Doing this will help you properly evaluate the capabilities of adivorce lawyer.
How to Prepare for a Divorce Consultation
Divorce consultations could be intimidating and frightening at first. It is because we are not sure what to expect. Moreover, there had been a lot of things happening ever since you and your spouse decided to get a divorce. Thus, it is difficult to summarise the entire situation to your lawyer.
To make things a lot easier, you may want to do some preparations before going to a divorce consultation. Start with these helpful preparation tips:
- Bring the Necessary Documents
Remember that divorce lawyers are initially a stranger to your life. They don’t know what happened between you and your spouse before you both decide to get a divorce. So, you have to provide them with at least the basic personal information. Fill in him with the details about your financial and living situation, and your relationship with your children. Also, make sure to bring the documents stating the identity of your spouse. This should include:
- Name
- Place of Birth
- Employment Documents
- Contact Numbers
In filing a divorce, one of the essential things to consider is the financial situation. So, you have to show to a divorce lawyer that you have a copy of your monthly payroll. It is not necessary to bring all the past pay stubs. It is enough to present at least the pay stub for the last three months. In this way, the lawyer can properly assess your family’s financial situation. Aside from your pay stub, you may also want to prepare a copy of your tax returns. Both financial documents could be important in deciding how much alimony you should receive in this divorce.
- Determine Your Wants
It is not enough to just state that you want to separate ways with your spouse. There are still some matters that are needed to be settled. Like for example, who would take care of the children? What are the properties that you would want to take for you and your children? Would it be possible to get a hold of these properties instead of your spouse? So, sit down first, and think about what you want to get out of this divorce.
There are two main things to decide on when filing a divorce: parenting plans and dividing the properties. As for the latter, you have to decide whether it is alright for you to leave your children to your spouse, and you will only provide financial support. You could also set some visitation schedules for the children. Whereas for the properties, think about the material possessions that you may want to keep. It could either be something grand like a residential property or a sentimental piece of furniture. However, remember that you may not get all the things you want, so you need to consult a divorce lawyerabout this. They may help you come up with strategies on how to make the divorce turn out in your favour.
- Ask the Right Questions
If it is your first time hiring a divorce lawyer, then you probably do not know where to start. Don’t worry! We have laid out in this article some of the questions you should ask during a divorce consultation.
- Are you a family lawyer in Singapore?
It is better to choose a family lawyeras they are experts about child custody, spousal support and property division.
- What is the payment process like, and how will you charge it?
Know if their rates are per hour or visit. Make sure to ask a detailed quote for this.
- How and when you should contact you if there is an emergency?
Discuss what would be an ideal response time and what modes of communication to use.
- What strategies would they use for my divorce?
Know the strategies to get an idea on what to expect during the process of divorce.
Choosing the right lawyermay increase your chances of success in this divorce. So, choose carefully and make sure to do a lot of research first. If you need to hire one of the best divorce lawyers in Singapore, then you may want to check out Lie Chin Chin!
