Lafayette Divorce Attorney
When spouses make the choice to get a divorce, it is not easy, but it may be the right choice for their family. Unfortunately, deciding to get a divorce is only the first step in a lengthy and stressful process. A Lafayette divorce lawyer can help you navigate the process with meticulous care and advocate for the ideal outcome.
Supporting Your Interests and Looking to the Future
Every divorce is unique, and even amicable divorces are usually financially and emotionally draining. Protecting your financial interests and your family’s future is crucial throughout a divorce. The Thompson Law Office, LLC, can provide you with aggressive yet compassionate legal representation for your divorce case. We aim for straightforward legal care that is tailored to your unique needs.
We can help you file your divorce with the 15th Judicial District Court (JDC) Lafayette Parish Courthouse, located at 800 S. Buchanan Street. We have experience and professional relationships with those in the 15th JDC.
The Elements of Divorce Cases
The divorce rate in Louisiana in 2022 was 0.7 per 1,000 residents, compared to the U.S. rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents. However, this 2022 rate was a substantial decrease from most previous years. In 2021, the state’s divorce rate was 2.2 per 1,000.
One reason divorces are more complex than other family law cases is that they usually involve multiple family law matters, especially if you and your spouse have minor children. Even when couples don’t have minor children, they have to divide property and possibly determine spousal support. It’s crucial to understand the many potential elements of your divorce case.
Property Division
When spouses divorce, they have to separate their property, finances, and other assets and debts. The division of property in Louisiana is generally based on community property laws, meaning that the court will divide assets and debts equally. However, you could avoid the court if you and your spouse agree on property division yourselves.
This division applies to marital assets, which include assets spouses gained during their marriage, with some exceptions. Working with a divorce attorney can help you negotiate a property division agreement and protect your interests. The property you secure in a divorce can impact you financially, and you may be emotionally attached to certain items. An attorney helps you fight for what you deserve.
Spousal Support
Not all divorces include the awarding of Spousal Support, which is often a monthly payment from one spouse to the other. However, the court may decide spousal support is fair if one spouse has financial needs.
In Louisiana, there is interim and final periodic spousal support. Interim support is awarded during the divorce proceedings, depending on the financial needs of one spouse, the ability of the other spouse to pay, the standard of living during the marriage, and the existence of child support payments. Final periodic support is awarded after the divorce is finalized. The court considers many more factors for this type of support.
Whether you believe you will be receiving or paying spousal support, an attorney can help ensure the amount is fair.
Child Custody
Decisions regarding child custody are based on the child’s best interests, whether the court makes the decision or approves a plan negotiated by parents. Child custody considers both legal custody and physical custody. Both can be sole or joint.
Several factors are considered when determining a custody arrangement, such as the child’s relationships and connection with their parents and community, and the ability of each parent to provide for the child’s basic needs.
Working with an attorney can help you advocate for the custody arrangement you think is right for your child. An attorney can also explain the benefits of negotiating a parenting plan with your spouse.
Child Support
Child support determinations are calculated based on the child’s basic financial needs, their extraordinary financial needs, the gross income of each parent, the number of children who need support, and the parenting time each parent spends with their children.
Both parents have a financial responsibility to support their child, and it is crucial that a child receives this support even when parents don’t live together. However, it is also crucial that child support is fair. An attorney can work with you to ensure the support payments cover your child’s needs without causing financial hardship.
An uncontested divorce occurs when couples can agree on all issues. If couples do not agree on all terms, then the divorce is contested. Contested divorces can be negotiated out of court or handled through a trial.
An attorney can help you look at the facts of your divorce and determine the ideal way to resolve your case.
Why Do You Need to Hire a Divorce Lawyer in Lafayette?
It’s important to hire a divorce lawyer in Lafayette to protect your financial interests, your rights, and your family’s future, and to navigate the process more effectively.
Many spouses believe that they can lower the costs of divorce by not hiring an attorney. Unfortunately, this can cost them more in the long run, as there could be errors that lengthen the process or mistakes that prevent one spouse from getting their fair share in the separation.
An attorney understands Lafayette divorce laws and legal requirements, including deadlines and the guidelines the court uses. They can help your divorce go more smoothly. Even if you and your spouse are intending to work together, divorce decrees can still end up unfair. With an attorney, you can avoid this.
Get Your Questions Answered
If you are anticipating filing for divorce, you need to talk with a dedicated and experienced attorney sooner rather than later. At The Thompson Law Office, LLC, we listen to your situation and help you prepare for the process of divorce. We help you take action and provide legal support with attention and care. Contact our firm today.
