LEGAL HELP: MARRIAGE OR RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
NOW WHAT? (Or... What can a lawyer do for me?)
The "Legal Help" series is brought to you by:
The Professional Corporation of the Law Office of Robert A. Dinnen
4 Government Road East, Kirkland Lake, Ontario P2N 1A2
Telephone (705) 567-7979 - Fax (705) 567-7980
41 Third Street, P.O. Box 907, Englehart, Ontario P0J 1H0
Telephone (705) 544-8878 - Fax (705) 544-8444
Email [email protected]
WHAT CAN A LAWYER DO TO HELP WHEN A RELATIONSHIP HAS BROKEN DOWN?
Why It Is Critical That You Act Quickly
- Young children need stability now. Avoid arguing with your spouse while the children are around and have a lawyer determine a contact schedule as a top priority.
- Custody and access should be formalized immediately for everyone's peace of mind, especially the children's.
- If you or your spouse can't communicate effectively (or at all), a lawyer can take care of your business when it should be taken care of... now.
- If you think you might be emotional and confused, you are. A lawyer can help you think until you recover, and help you recover more quickly.
- Because legal services sometimes aren't magic, you may not be able to afford to wait.
Does There Have To Be A Court Proceeding?
- Amicable separation agreements can cover almost everything you really need without a court ever becoming involved at all.
- Even a formal divorce - which can only be granted by a court - is done without any physical appearance in court if the divorce is uncontested.
- Court will resolve disputes if necessary, but even the court encourages voluntary settlement if a voluntary settlement is possible.
- If you and your spouse have to fight, the court, not the home, is the place to do it.
- Good lawyers know when to fight, and when fighting is the thing to do, good lawyers don't hesitate to use everything they've got in order to fight for you.
Legal Services In Uncontested Matters
- A professionally-drawn separation agreement is necessary while you're still getting along, to help avoid something going wrong in the future and to minimize the risk of ever winding up in court when you don't want to be there.
- For all uncontested matters, insist upon fixed quotes for all legal costs in advance.
Legal Services In Contested Matters
- It may be a mistake to assume that the most expensive lawyer is the best one for your case.
- Ask around. Good reputations are sometimes earned.
Whether you think you need us or not, talk to us right away, and before you do anything else.
The "Legal Help" series is brought to you by:
The Professional Corporation of the Law Office of Robert A. Dinnen
4 Government Road East, Kirkland Lake, Ontario P2N 1A2
Telephone (705) 567-7979 - Fax (705) 567-7980
41 Third Street, P.O. Box 907, Englehart, Ontario P0J 1H0
Telephone (705) 544-8878 - Fax (705) 544-8444
Email [email protected]