Our Proven Divorce Process

Divorce Process

At Wright Family Law Group, our experience in a wide variety of divorce cases has allowed us to develop a tried and tested process for helping clients achieve favorable outcomes in divorce proceedings.

• Determine Your Needs & Goals

We begin by discussing your family and getting to know your unique needs. Our team is focused on making the divorce process as smooth as possible, and we take the time to understand your circumstances so we can determine how to best assist you.

Our attorneys can also help you imagine the life you want after the divorce is complete. We’ll help you determine your post-divorce goals concerning property, parenting plans, and more to find the right approach to your case.

• Gather Family Records

Our attorneys will conduct a detailed assessment of your personal information and help you gather any records or documents that may be needed for the divorce. This may include information on your background, education, medical history, work history, relationship with your children, and more.

We’ll also gather and document information related to your spouse, including their relationship with your children, income, and any relevant history. If you have children, your attorney will need to know about the children’s current living environment and daily routines to help you determine the most beneficial parenting arrangements to pursue.

• Gather Financial Records

In addition to personal information, your attorney will need a full record of your financial accounts, including information related to:

• Assets – Your assets might include stocks, retirement accounts, cars (if they are fully owned without a loan or payment), real estate or other property, or a business.
• Debts – Common debts include a mortgage, car loan, and credit card debt. Debts that were incurred before the marriage may not be subject to distribution, but your divorce lawyer will still need to know about them.
• Income – The court will consider each spouse’s income when making decisions regarding child support, spousal support, and property division.

• Form Your Legal Strategy

Once we have a full picture of your finances, circumstances, and post-divorce goals, our firm will craft a personalized roadmap for your case. Our goal is to empower clients with knowledge and strategy, providing them with the confidence to begin moving beyond adversity. We will develop a personalized legal strategy for your financial considerations, child custody, visitation rights, and other significant aspects of the divorce proceedings. The approach is realistic, cost-effective, and tailored to protect your interests.

• Initiate a Divorce Case

The divorce process officially begins when one spouse files the appropriate paperwork with the court. If you and your ex are able to agree on all issues, including those related to property, parenting rights, and visitation, you may be able to file a 1A Joint Petition for an uncontested divorce. If you and your former partner are unable to agree on some issues, you will need to file a 1B Complaint for divorce.

While uncontested divorce may be a cheaper and faster process, some rights – like time with your children – are worth fighting for, if needed. Our attorneys can help guide you in choosing a filing type.

• Commence Discovery

During the pretrial or discovery phase, both spouses are able to review and verify the information submitted and request additional information as needed. Your attorney will use this time and these resources to build a solid argument in your favor. Your attorney may also submit motions during this time, which are basically requests for the judge to take action on a particular issue. For example, if divorcing parents cannot agree on a living arrangement for their children while the divorce is ongoing, one spouse’s attorney might enter a motion requesting a temporary custody order.

• Mediation & Negotiation

Most divorce cases are settled through negotiation and mediation outside of the courtroom. In fact, only about 15% of divorce cases go to trial. Divorce trials can be time-consuming and expensive, so it is in each party’s best interest to work toward reaching a settlement outside of court if possible.

Negotiations may begin any time after a complaint for divorce is filed and continue right up to or even during a trial. Mediation can be a helpful tool for resolving disputes without going to court as long as both parties are open to the process.

• Litigation If Necessary

If you and your ex cannot reach a reasonable agreement through negotiations or mediation, your case will proceed to a trial. During the trial, a judge will review the evidence submitted, hear from each side, and determine how to settle any disputes in your case.

Our attorneys will work hard to settle your case in the most efficient way possible. However, if going to trial becomes necessary, we are fully prepared to defend your interests in court.

• Finalizing Your Case

Once a final divorce judgment has been reached and entered by the court, your divorce will be finalized after 90 days. Both parties will be bound by the terms of the final judgment, so it’s important for it to be as clear and complete as possible. Our team will help you carefully review and verify any legal documents necessary to close out your case.

• Pursuing Modifications

In some cases, a final divorce or custody arrangement may be modified if one of the parties has a significant change in circumstances, like changing jobs. However, if the change in circumstances is minor, you should carefully consider if the cost of pursuing a modification is worth the benefit you might receive from a new settlement. A skilled family law attorney can help you pursue modifications, when appropriate for:

• Alimony (or spousal support)
• Child Support
• Parenting Plans

The Guidance You Need

At Wright Family Law Group, we realize that going through a divorce can be confusing and isolating, but it’s important to know you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our team of knowledgeable and compassionate family law attorneys can offer you guidance and support to make this difficult time more manageable. Call our office today to discuss how we may be able to help you.