Divorce and Transitions: Mardi Winder-Adams
For women going through a high-asset or high-conflict divorce, having an attorney is the best way to protect yourself and your future.
A good lawyer has your back. They ensure that you understand all of your options and potential outcomes. And, what steps to take toward securing a fair settlement.
Importance Of Divorce Attorney In High-Asset Divorces For Women:
Divorce is a difficult step for many women. And dealing with the legal system on your own makes it more complicated. Understanding the family code and how to proceed through the court system is a steep learning curve. As I say to anyone considering representing themselves in a high-asset or high-conflict divorce, it is not what you know about the law that is the problem; it is what you don’t know that will cost you time and money.
“Divorce is a difficult step for many women.”
If you’re in a high-asset or high-conflict separation or divorce, having an experienced lawyer on your side is essential. An attorney can review all the documents related to your marriage. And let you know what rights are available to protect you under the family code in your area. Meaning that they’ll make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Having an attorney also ensures that each party in the divorce gets fair treatment when negotiating settlements.
The Role Of The Divorce Attorney:
A good lawyer can help answer all the questions regarding which assets are community property and what can be considered separate property. Even in non-community property states, this is relevant in the division of assets and liabilities.
Family attorneys can also help find hidden assets like offshore accounts or income from businesses not disclosed on tax returns. The attorney may recommend a CPA or a forensic accountant to review financial statements and determine if there are concerns or issues with reported assets or income.
An experienced divorce lawyer will work on your behalf when it’s time to settle disputes with your partner’s legal team. From alimony payments and child support to custody arrangements and repaying debt, your attorney can negotiate for you, helping to minimize communication and contact in high-conflict divorces.
Having an experienced lawyer in place at the early stages of separation and divorce is also a benefit. They’ll be able to take you through the process step-by-step while protecting your rights and ensuring any agreements between you and your former partner are crystal clear and legally binding.
Finding The Right Attorney:
While the right attorney is an asset to your divorce, the wrong attorney can cost you time, money, and a lot of stress and worry. The attorney is the foundation of your divorce support team. And a strong foundation is critical when high-conflict, high-asset, or complex situations are part of your divorce scenario.
“Having an experienced lawyer in place at the early stages of separation and divorce is also a benefit.”
Working with a divorce coach before hiring an attorney provides a structured approach to hiring the right professional. Most of my clients have never hired an attorney for personal reasons, although they have worked professionally with attorneys or legal teams.
We focus on questions to ask to determine if the attorney is a good fit for your communication style, concerns in the divorce, and in representing your best interests. A few of these questions typically include:
- What type of divorces do you handle, and how many clients have you represented in divorce cases?
- Who will work on my case? Are you my attorney, or are you just handling the initial consultation? If so, who is my attorney, and when can I speak with them about my case?
- What is your fee structure, retainer, and what costs do you anticipate in this divorce?
Right Fit For Your Case:
Remember, the initial consultation is to determine if the lawyer is the right fit for your case. You do not have to hire an attorney you interview unless you feel it is a good partnership for your high-asset or high-conflict divorce.
Having legal representation in high-asset or high-conflict divorce is always in your best interest. Yes, it is an investment, but going without representation is a high-risk scenario that may ultimately cost you much more.
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About the Author:
Mardi Winder-Adams is an Executive and Leadership Coach, Certified Divorce Transition Coach, and a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator in Texas. She has experienced her own divorce, moved to a new country and started her own business, and worked through the challenges of being a caregiver and managing the loss of a spouse.
Handling life transitions and pivots is her specialty! In her professional role as a divorce coach, Mardi has helped hundreds of women before, during, and after divorce to reduce the emotional and financial costs of the process. She is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC.
