Strategic Divorce Case Planning
One of the most difficult things for people going through a divorce to deal with is the unknown as they enter into the legal process. At Plog & Stein, P.C. one of the first things our divorce planning attorneys strive to do when meeting with each new client is to provide them not only with a thorough assessment of their case, but also to provide them with a firm understanding of the issues, court process, and potential outcomes. We recognize that going into the unknown is easier for our clients when they have road map, so to speak, of how their case might look over the next several months and what steps will need to be taken along the way. There is an old saying we all heard as children, “it’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game.” Well, that adage is part true. No one likes to lose, including litigants or lawyers. However, “how you play the game” does matter when it comes time to deal with your divorce.
Planning Stages In Your Divorce
With each case, the first step for our Denver divorce attorneys is going to be to get a big-picture understanding of your circumstances related to finances and your kids, if there are children involved. From there, we start formulating a plan centered around both your objectives and what a court would likely do given the facts and circumstances you bring to the table. This includes assessing and advising regarding:
Pre-filing planning
This includes discussions regarding the protection of financial assets and credit, securing tangible assets, as well as formulating a plan for handling parenting time and child protection issues. We want to make sure you are in the best position possible going into the divorce process. The same advice we would provide for the person filing may also hold true for those who have just been served.
Information gathering
From a strategic standpoint, nothing matters more than being able to prove your case and back up your positions with evidence. In most cases this will come in the form of documentation. Our divorce planning attorneys want to be armed with as much documentation and proof as possible when the time comes to either settle or go to court. Though some cases are fairly straightforward, others my require documenting old accounts, income streams, events, or how you or the children are treated by the other party. Proof comes in various forms, and can even include photos, emails, text messages, or journals. From the outset, we provide insights on how to both document and gather evidence, including assessing how proof can be gained in in the most efficient manner. It’s always better to be ahead of the game and have as much information as possible for when it is needed.
Assessing the need for experts
As with any legal case, your divorce may require the input of an expert witnesses to prove certain facts. This might be a real estate appraiser, a pension valuator, or a child custody expert. At Plog & Stein, P.C., we believe it’s important to determine what experts may be needed from the outset and to have discussions with our clients as to both the process and costs. Since expert witnesses come with a cost, our attorneys not only assess what experts are truly needed, but will also brainstorm with you regarding how they will be paid for, including the potential for contribution from the other side.
Preparation for trial
If issues in your divorce case do not get resolved through settlement negotiations, the ultimate conclusion will be a contented hearing in front of the judge. We believe that being fully prepared, both attorneys and client, leads to better results in the courtroom. For the attorneys, this means meeting various deadlines tied into witnesses, exhibits, and expert reports. Through the preparation process, we work with our clients to formulate not only their testimony, but that of other witnesses, such as friends or family members. We want you to be ready to testify when the time comes and take steps to make sure you understand what a day in court looks like and the pivotal points needed from your testimony. Making the best presentation to the court matters and requires a seasoned family law attorneys in Denver with courtroom experience.
Hiring the Right Lawyers Matters
Anyone can get a divorce. The question is whether you want to get that divorce done well? With over 70 years of combined family law experience, the divorce attorneys at Plog & Stein, P.C. have litigated hundreds of trials before the court. We know what is needed to present your case and to get the job done. If you are facing divorce or custody battle, call our divorce planning lawyers, today, at (303) 781-0322, or contact us online to learn about our services and representation.
