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Preparation - What
Can You Do to Make It Easier?
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE IT EASIER
There are a number of things that you can do to make the divorce
or custody process easier on yourself and your children. These
include:
- Know Your Rights: You should look into as
many reliable sources as you can on Colorado domestic relations
law. There is excellent
information available on the web for free, and there are also
a number of excellent publications available.
The more educated you are, the better you are going to be able
to deal with court deadlines, required documents to submit to
the court, and how to protect yourself.
- Consult an Experienced
Attorney: This does not, by any means,
mean that you need to engage in costly litigation. In fact, quite
the contrary; a good, settlement – oriented, family law attorney
can alert you to ways to best represent yourself and protect yourself
for the long-run. Many attorneys offer a service called “unbundled
representation” which allows you to consult with an attorney
on a limited basis to help you go over legal documents and prepare
for hearings.
- Carefully Prepare Your Legal Filings: All
of the documents you will need for a simple, non-contested proceeding
are available
for free from the State Judicial
website. These documents are crafted in a user-friendly
way, and the judges
are used to processing these documents. You can also purchase
for a nominal fee instructions on how and when to file the documents
from most district court clerks’ offices. You should typically
file your case in the county in which you and your children reside.
- Be
Proactive: Know your deadlines, and try to stay ahead of the
curve. Thus, start getting all of your mandatory financial
disclosures ready. Some of these documents may need to be ordered,
and you will make life much easier on yourself if you get going
on this right away. Follow the procedures for getting hearing dates,
and push for hearing dates whenever appropriate. Respond quickly
to all reasonable inquiries and offers from the other side or the
court.
- Read Your Orders and Notices from the
Court:
This seems so simple, but so many people toss aside into a folder
all of
their documents
without going through them. Anything you receive from the Court
is important. You will often receive a case management order,
and following it carefully will help you get hearing dates and
process
your case correctly.
- Be Prepared for Any Hearings: Make sure
you know the subject of the hearing and whether you will be required
to submit evidence
to the judge. Remember, if you are representing yourself, you must
abide by all of the rules that govern attorneys. Have all of your
documents ready. Prepare in advance all of your statements and
legal arguments for the judge. Get there early so that you know
exactly where you need to be. If you have some extra time, use
it to prepare some more and try to relax.
Overall, careful and thorough planning will help you get through
this stressful situation with your sanity and dignity intact. It
will also best help you to get through this in a way that is best
for yourself and your children.
Back to Early Planning for Divorce
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