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Family & Children

Divorce

Thinking about divorce? Contested vs. uncontested, property division, alimony, timelines, what a divorce lawyer does and how to find one near you.

Divorce ends the marriage and divides everything built during it — property, debt, retirement accounts, the home — while setting the terms for children and support. Every state has its own rules on community vs. equitable division, waiting periods and alimony. A divorce lawyer protects your financial future and keeps the process from becoming more costly than it needs to be.

What a divorce lawyer does

  • Files or responds to the petition and secures temporary orders
  • Traces and values assets, including businesses and retirement accounts
  • Negotiates property, debt, support and parenting terms
  • Drafts the decree and QDROs so the agreement is actually enforceable

When you need a divorce lawyer

  • You own a home, business or retirement accounts
  • You have minor children
  • Your spouse has hired a lawyer or is hiding money
  • There is a history of abuse or control

Questions to ask before you hire a divorce lawyer

  1. Is this a community-property or equitable-distribution state, and what does that mean for me?
  2. What should I do now to protect finances and documents?
  3. How long does a divorce usually take here?
  4. How do you handle a spouse who is hiding assets?

Common questions

Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce?

Not always, but having one lawyer review the agreement is cheap insurance: retirement accounts, the house and tax consequences are easy to get wrong, and mistakes in the decree are hard to fix later.

Find a divorce lawyer near you

Choose your state to see listed firms and the official bar directory for verifying any lawyer’s license.