Many people considering divorce have already turned a page in their minds and think they are ready to move on to new loves and new adventures, even before a judge’s signature is affixed to a divorce decree. Unfortunately life can have a way of delaying plans despite your best intentions.
Divorce (except maybe in Las Vegas) is not often a quick and easy process. Dissolving a marriage, even when a split is the mutually desired goal, can take months (or in the worst case years should appellate issues or child/custody investigations come into the mix) and may require intensive discovery, negotiations, hearings, and/or trial.
Did you really think you were going to get to keep the boat or summer house without a fight? Did you really think he would agree to a reasonable custody and visitation plan? Parties are often shocked at the positions their formerly loving spouses or partners take once a divorce or custody proceeding is initiated.
The process of dividing a marital estate into two, when those lives have been joined together for many years, can be an acrimonious and time-consuming experience, where few parties are prepared for the kind of surprises that can crop up when your adversary is someone who has been observing you up close for decades.
Similarly, opposing parties can be unreasonable when determining a parenting plan that should be focused on the best interests of the minor children, versus their own selfish needs or preferences.
The laws governing divorce and child custody matters are not always as intuitive or easily grasped as the general population expects. Whether you decide to try and resolve your issues by working with a mediator, or through litigation in front of a judge, you cannot afford the luxury of poor preparation or sketchy knowledge of the laws and procedures applicable to your case.
Once you know you’re headed for a divorce or a child custody proceeding, your next step should be to secure the services of a lawyer who can serve your best interests, the best interests of your children, and work with you as a team to ensure all reasonable goals are met.
Attorney Carmina K. Hirsch (formerly Tessitore) of Hirsch Legal, LLC, has an award winning practice, having been recognized for her competence in divorce and family law matters and in client satisfaction. She has been published as a contributing author in “A Practical Guide to Divorce in Connecticut”, and her primer “Divorce Mediation: Mediating Financial Disputes” summarizes the steps she takes to help parties divide the financial portion of the marital estate when serving as a neutral third party mediator (for parties seeking to amicably dissolve their marriage through mediation).
Whether you desire to hire her as a mediator, or as your personal legal representative, you would do well to contact her office to schedule a consultation. Conveniently located in Shelton, Hirsch Legal LLC serves clients in Fairfield and New Haven Country courts, including: Bridgeport, Milford, New Haven, Waterbury, Danbury, and Stamford.