FAQ

How should I prepare for my meeting with the lawyer?

Before the meeting, make notes about your legal situation so you can easily go over the important points with the lawyer. Bring the names, addresses and telephone numbers of everyone connected with your case (including witnesses), as well as all papers involved in your case. Some lawyers may ask to see the papers before the meeting. If the one you're meeting does, fax everything the lawyer requests as quickly as possible so he/she has enough time to go over it all before meeting with you.

Can child custody orders be modified?

Yes. Child custody rights can be modified for a number of different reasons. For example, if there has been a significant change in circumstances that greatly affects the parent's or child's life such as relocation, employment change, residence, or marital status, then a request to modify the child custody decree can be made in court.
Ex-spouses can also voluntarily decide to modify their custody order by agreeing to the changes and putting them in writing. Keep in mind that oral agreements are not binding in most states and difficult to prove.

How is the amount of alimony determined?

Alimony, or spousal support, is determined by a set of guidelines, standards, and precedents that vary from state to state. In most divorce cases, a court determines the amount of alimony that is fair and reasonable depending on a number of factors.
Some factors that are taken into consideration before the amount of alimony is determined include, but are not limited to:

The needs of both spouses based on the standard of living established during the course of the marriage.
The skills of the supported spouse including the education or training that is necessary to develop certain skills, and the need for education or retraining to achieve more marketable skills or employment.
The contribution of the supported spouse as a homemaker.
The age, physical, mental, and emotional state of health of each spouse.

Furthermore, a judge will assess any economic situation of either spouse that would enable him/her to reach a proper and just decision.