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Most divorces are initiated by women 50% of all marriages will end in divorce There are nearly 20,000,000 divorced adults Approximately 70% of divorced men and 60% of divorced women remarry whether or not they have children, and most do so within five years St. Louis Divorce AttorneyWhen facing divorce, it is important to have a lawyer who is focused on your interests and goals. At Diekman & Leightner, we tailor our representation based upon your individual needs. We listen to you so that we understand what is important to you and aggressively pursue those goals. We advocate for clients in complex divorce matters, such as contested child custody issues, property division, tax issues, debt allocations, and other family law matters. Learn more about divorce in Missouri. To schedule a free initial consultation with our experienced divorce and property division attorneys, contact our St. Louis County law firm today. The St. Louis law office of Diekman & Leightner offers more than 20 years of family law experience. Our divorce lawyers are experienced in handling complex family law issues that arise in divorce, such as property division, debt division, spousal maintenance, child custody, and other divorce considerations in Missouri. With over 20 years of experience, United States Tax Court Licensure, and attorney ad litem certification, the lawyers at Diekman & Leightner have the comprehensive knowledge, compassion, and perseverance to advocate for clients facing divorce in St. Louis and surrounding areas. We fight for what's important to you. Call today! 314-725-9850. Diekman & Leightner, Attorneys at Law The law office of Diekman & Leightner provides experienced legal representation to clients in communities such as St. Louis City, Clayton, Des Peres, Creve Coeur, St Charles, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Manchester, University City, Shrewsbury, Town & Country, Bel-Ridge, Sunset Hills, Overland, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Berkeley, and Pine Lawn, Missouri. The firm also represents clients throughout the Central West End, North County, West County, and South County.The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. St. Louis County • St. Louis City • Jefferson County • Franklin County Divorce Overview - The BasicsContemplating divorce is difficult. Whether or not you are sure you want to end your marriage, it helps to learn the basics of divorce law. Should you conclude that divorce is necessary, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced family law attorney. A divorce is a judicial decree by which a valid marriage is dissolved. From a legal standpoint, the divorce process will divide the couple’s assets and debts; determine the future care and custody of their children; and give each person the legal right to marry someone else. Division of PropertyWhen a couple has little or no marital property, no children and no disagreement on spousal maintenance/alimony, their divorce usually goes very quickly. Most couples, however, have numerous issues to work out during the divorce process. These issues may involve children or significant marital property: personal property, real estate, a family business, large or concealed debts, trusts, real property in other states, joint and separate accounts, investments, insurance, pensions and other assets. In any divorce, especially one involving complex property matters, an experienced family law attorney can offer valuable guidance and advocacy. Questions to Ask During DivorceWhether to end your marriage is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will ever encounter. While this is an emotional matter, it is important to approach certain aspects of it with an analytical perspective. This is a decision that should take into account numerous issues. Once you review the following list of questions, you may reconsider your goals — or you may be better prepared to move forward while working with an attorney. Contact an experienced family law attorney to help you along the journey. Dealing with DivorceFor some, divorce may feel like a liberating new beginning. For most, however, it is not so straightforward. The end of a relationship as important as a marriage brings numerous difficult emotions. Indeed, recovering from a divorce is similar to the grieving process one experiences when a loved one dies. The process typically consists of five stages: shock and denial; anger; ambivalence; depression; and recovery. Not everyone experiences these emotions in the same way or in the same order. You may move in and out of a phase more than once, even experiencing more than one phase at a time. It is a difficult and time-consuming process. Family counselors advise that it may take as long as one or two years to truly recover. Understanding the process and the feelings you may experience will help you to grieve the relationship. It is important to allow yourself the time you need to recover from the traumatic experience of ending a marriage so that you can move on to the next phase of your life. An experienced family law attorney can provide invaluable advice and support throughout the divorce process. An Amicable DivorceDivorce is one of the most emotional experiences you will ever face. The decision to end a marriage is not an easy one, and often it is accompanied by anger, fear and resentment. The negative emotions associated with divorce are responsible for more than hurt feelings; they affect the legal process and its outcome. Most importantly, if children are involved, they can be deeply distressed. It is in your family's interest to approach divorce from an amicable perspective; this can spare you a great deal of time, money and heartache. An experienced family law attorney can help you deal with your situation clearly and objectively. Divorce Resource Links
Medline Plus: Divorce
Divorce Law: An Overview
IRS: Publication 504 - Divorced or Separated Individuals
IRS: Topic 452 - Alimony Paid
Facts for Consumers: Credit and Divorce
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Call us nowor use the form below.Try Our Child Support Calculator FinderFrequently Asked Questions About Divorce
Q: What is a legal divorce? A: A divorce is the dissolution of a marriage. After divorce, both parties are free to remarry. During typical divorce proceedings, the couple's assets and debts will be divided and the care and custody of any children will be determined. Each state has its own distinct divorce laws. Q: What are "fault divorce" and "no-fault divorce"? A: In the past, divorce generally had only been granted on the basis of marital misconduct called "fault": adultery, mental cruelty or another wrongful act. There were also defenses to these faults. In these divorces, the spouse at fault often received a smaller portion of the marital settlement. In a no-fault divorce, the parties merely need to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably or that the couple has irreconcilable differences. Every state has some form of no-fault divorce, but the particulars of the laws can differ markedly from state to state. |
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