New Orleans Divorce Lawyer
If you are ending your marriage, it is important to consult with a New Orleans divorce lawyer as soon as possible. Divorce raises many legal questions regarding the division of marital property, responsibility for joint debts, and division of child custody. In addition, divorce may result in one spouse paying support to the other. Because of the legal issues raised in a divorce and because the outcome can have a fundamental impact on the rest of your life, retaining a seasoned St. Charles divorce attorney is essential.
At J.C. Lawrence and Associates, our New Orleans divorce lawyers are your best choice when selecting quality legal representation. We understand that divorce is more than just a legal process and emotions and complex family relationships are involved. We treat your case with the utmost respect, keeping you updated and informed every step of the way. We help you navigate the divorce process, and advocate on your behalf so that you can walk away from the divorce with a reasonable and fair settlement.
How New Orleans Divorce Attorneys Can Help in a Divorce
Since Louisiana is a community property state, divorcing couples are each entitled to 50 percent of all marital assets. It does not matter what financial contribution, if any, you made to the relationship. Under community property rules, everything should be divided 50-50 with the exception of property that each spouse possessed before the marriage (if it was not mingled with marital property) and a few other exceptions, such as money that is inherited during a marriage or money that is obtained through the pain and suffering portion of a personal injury lawsuit.
Despite the community property rules in Louisiana, issues frequently arise regarding what items are excluded from the 50-50 split of marital property. The law can be complicated and to receive your fair share, you need the experience and perseverance of our New Orleans divorce lawyers. We may be able to reach an agreement regarding dividing spousal assets outside of court, eliminating the need to litigate the issues. Resolving all matters before trial can make your divorce quicker and less expensive. A lawyer at J.C. Lawrence and Associates can help you understand your rights and can negotiate a settlement based on what you are legally entitled to, rather than based on emotion or the desire to punish your spouse. If you are not able to agree on how to divide your assets, our New Orleans divorce attorneys will represent you in court and argue for your fair share.
Child custody, spousal support and child support are also key issues to resolve in a divorce. In Louisiana, standard formulas are used to set child support, while child custody is determined based on what is best for the child. Spousal support will depend on numerous factors, including whether an income disparity exists among the spouses, whether the disparity is likely to be permanent and how long the marriage lasted. In a best case scenario, you and your spouse, with the help of your New Orleans divorce lawyers, will reach an out-of-court agreement on these issues.
We also may recommend a neutral mediator who will work with both parties to reach an agreement on any outstanding issues. J.C. Lawrence and Associates will guide you through the mediation and represent you in court if a pre-trial settlement is not possible.
Contact the New Orleans Divorce Attorneys at J.C. Lawrence and Associates
The end of your marriage means the end of a shared family unit and it can be a difficult time. You need to focus on the emotional impact of a divorce and leave the legal aspects of ending your marriage to a legal professional you can trust. The lawyers at J.C. Lawrence and Associates have helped countless clients achieve favorable divorce settlements. We attempt to resolve matters as quickly and cost-effectively as possible while securing a settlement that is reasonable and allows you to move forward with your life.
To learn more about how the New Orleans divorce attorneys at J.C. Lawrence and Associates can assist with your divorce, give us a call today.
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