Divorce Lawyers
After being in the middle of a rocky marriage, the last thing you want is a difficult and emotionally draining divorce process. The mere thought of issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support can make you lose sleep at night. You need sound legal advocacy, and you need it fast. We can help.
At Petrelli Previtera, LLC, we understand the emotional weight that divorce places on an individual. We also know that there’s so much at stake, and you can’t afford to put a foot wrong. That’s why we have spent years creating a solid legal strategy, one that relieves stress and protects your financial rights in equal measure. Whether you’re still considering divorce, need help responding to your spouse’s notice, or are getting started with the paperwork, hiring our divorce lawyers is the best decision you can make at this point in your life.
Types of Divorce Cases We Handle
No two families are the same. In turn, no two divorces are identical. Some families might be able to hash out an agreement fairly amicably with just a little bit of help from their attorneys. Others may not be able to see eye-to-eye and may need to use the full force of the legal system to resolve their dispute. In both cases, the divorce lawyers at Petreeli Previtera, LLC can help you attain a favorable outcome that sets you on the path of a better future.
Contested Divorce
If you and your soon-to-be-ex can’t seem to agree on important issues like how custody and marital property should be divided, a contested divorce is inevitable. Contested divorces often result in protracted legal battles that can be both costly and emotionally frustrating. As such, it is vital that you retain the services of a divorce attorney who is skilled at handling complex divorce cases.
Petrelli Previtera, LLC is an award-winning, nationally recognized divorce firm with a reputation for helping clients navigate even the most difficult divorces. When you hire us, we’ll start by defining your goals about issues like child support, custody, division of marital property, and parental rights. Throughout the duration of your case, our lawyers will provide you with solid legal advice to protect your future. We can also help you uncover any hidden assets, confirm that all income is reflected in spousal and child support agreements, and make sure property is fairly distributed.
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce occurs when both parties agree on all aspects of their separation without needing to rely on the judgment of the court. It is considered an amicable divorce, as both parties are satisfied with their decision with regards to asset division, child support, and spousal support. It is also less costly and permits for a more swift divorce.
At Petrelli Previtera, LLC, we have helped a great number of people finalize uncontested divorces. We are welcoming you to try out this divorce option as well. If you give us the green light, we’ll go out of our way to help you and your spouse reach a mutually beneficial divorce agreement.
Division of Marital Property, Assets, and Debt
Asset division is a contentious divorce issue that often puts couples at loggerheads. Most states across the country require that debts and marital property be divided in a fair or “equitable” manner. However, “equitably” doesn’t necessarily mean equaly. Courts consider a long list of factors when dividing assets fairly, including:
- Each spouse’s income and earning potential
- The duration of the marriage
- The number of minor children
- The overall physical and mental health of each spouse
- Each spouse’s current assets and debts
- Whether one spouse made sacrifices for the other’s professional career and more
Our divorce lawyers are well-versed in asset division matters. We can help you identify and assess the assets and debts that may be subjected to equitable distribution and how the judge may split them. And if you and your soon-to-be-ex decide to solve your disputes outside of the courtroom, we can help you draft a property settlement agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions to Our Divorce Lawyers
1. Now that I’ve filed for divorce, how long do I have to wait before it is finalized?
2. What is the difference between divorce and legal separation?
There’s one major issue that differentiates a divorce from a legal separation: A legal separation preserves the status of the parties as a married couple while a divorce terminates marital status completely. In other words, a divorce returns you to “single” status and gives you the liberty to enter into new relationships. If you’d like further clarity on issues of divorce and legal separation, please reach out to our law firm at 866-465-5395.
3. What steps do I have to go through for my divorce to be successful?
In general, these are the steps involved in a typical divorce process (in order of occurrence):
- The plaintiff (the spouse who initiates the divorce proceeding) completes the required forms
- The plaintiff then files these forms in court
- A legal adult (18 or older) who is not involved in the case serves the other spouse, the defendant, copies of the court paperwork.
- The defendant decides how they would like to handle the divorce case—they can choose a response with the court or work out an amicable agreement with the plaintiff.
- If the defendant chooses to respond to the petition, they need to complete the necessary paperwork and then file them with the court clerk.
- Someone who’s not involved in the case will serve the plaintiff a copy of the defendant’s court forms.
- Each side will exchange financial documents that declare what they owe and own. This process is meant to help both spouses divide debts and marital property fairly and equitably.
- The couple will have to put the terms of their separation in a legally binding contract called a divorce settlement agreement.
- The couple will then submit the agreement to a judge, and if it meets the state’s requirements for fairness, the judge will sign it to allow the couple to become legally divorced.
4. How costly is it to get divorced?
Divorces can be inexpensive or overly expensive, depending on a host of factors, including the willingness of both parties to work together towards an out-of-court solution. At Petrelli Previtera, LLC, we always encourage settlement first. Most divorce lawyers like to over-complicate the process and run up the bill for no good reason. In our opinion, almost every divorce case is a few candid conversations away from a fair and conclusive settlement.
5. How long will I have to pay alimony?
6. How to Do I Find the Best Divorce or Family Law Attorney for me?
Lawyers are not all the same. You deserve to be represented by a lawyer that has your best interests at heart. When selecting the best lawyer for your case, consider:
Get Award-Winning Legal Counsel On Your Side
Unlike most divorce lawyers, our attorneys are both excellent litigators and skilled negotiators, and we have the awards to back up our claim. When you choose us, you are choosing to be represented by some of the best divorce attorneys in the country. Most importantly, you are choosing to take on the next chapter of your life with clarity, confidence, and character.
The bottom line is that we are award-winning divorce attorneys who are ready and willing to represent you. Call us today to schedule an initial consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. We will take the time to listen to your story, outline all of your legal options, and pinpoint the best strategy for your specific situation. We work with clients across the country, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Philadelphia, and DC.