Tuesday, March 22, 2011

How to Find a Good Divorce Lawyer in Denver

If you’re going through a divorce, you need a good attorney.  If you live in anywhere in the Denver metropolitan area, you are, no doubt,  trying to find a good divorce lawyer in Denver.  A quick internet search or glance at the yellow pages will have you practically overwhelmed with options.  So, where do you start?  Here are a few ideas that will help you in your search for a good divorce lawyer in Denver.

Who do you know?

As with most things in life, who you know can often be very instrumental in helping you find other people you need to meet for one reason or another.  Believe it or not, your current contact list is actually one of the best places to begin your search for a good divorce lawyer in Denver.  Now, you might have reservations about making your divorce “public,” especially in these initial phases.  But as commonplace as divorces are these days, odds are you have a trusted friend or relative who has been through it.  This is the best place to start.  Did this person have a divorce lawyer?  Were they happy with their divorce lawyer?  Did this person feel the divorce settlement was fair and equitable?  Is this person’s situation similar to yours?  Ask anyone whom you feel comfortable talking to, especially if they have been through a divorce themselves.  This is the best place to begin your search for a good divorce lawyer in Denver.

The Interview

A lot of people think that a lawyer is a lawyer.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Just like any profession, family law has its superstars and its not-so-supers.  In addition, every one has a unique style and personality.  Some of these will mesh with yours and some won’t.  You will also want to take note of your potential lawyers experience and specialty.  In other words, you don’t want to use the lawyer recommended by your best friend’s sister if they don’t specialize in family law.  Similarly, you might think twice before hiring the brand new law school graduate without some experienced supervision.Remember that you are interviewing the lawyer.  The lawyer you choose will be working for you, and you should feel absolutely comfortable with their credentials, experience, and demeanor.  You have to feel comfortable talking to your Denver divorce lawyer in order for them to deliver the best case for you.

Verify

When it’s all said and done—the contacts, the interview—now it’s time to verify the information you have collected on your potential divorce lawyer in Denver.  Here’s where the internet comes in really handy.  Do a simple search on both the lawyer and the firm you are considering and see what comes up.  Do they have good reviews?  Are their past clients happy?  Better yet, if you know someone (other than the person who initially recommended this lawyer) else who has experience with this lawyer or firm, get their opinion.   When you’ve done your “homework” in finding a good divorce lawyer in Denver, you can proceed with your divorce with confidence. Finding a good divorce lawyer in Denver isn’t difficult if you use these tips and a little common sense.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Your Denver Paternity Rights

A paternity lawyer is sometimes necessary for a variety of reasons, including certain adoption issues and custody disputes, but when you’re trying to determine your Denver paternity rights, it is imperative that you have expert legal counsel on your side.  This applies to both the mother and the father, and is in the best interest of the child for reasons far beyond financial support.  Granted, there may be some severe special circumstance in which it may be in the best interest of the child to not know who their father is, but these are very, very rare—regardless of the personal feelings which exist between the two parents.  Here are some of the reasons it’s so important to know your Denver paternity rights—and your child’s—which you might not have thought of.

Denver Paternity Rights to Establish Fatherhood

Establishing, without a doubt, the undeniable identity of a child’s father is crucial for many reasons.  The first thought to come into the minds of most people is simply child support.  But, in considering the best interest of the child, both now and in the future, establishing Denver paternity rights and obligations is also important for the child’s physical and emotional health.  For instance, positively and legally identifying a child’s father provides important family information, such as:

•    Family lineage
•    Medical history
•    Access to extended family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, half-brothers/sisters, etc, regardless of the father’s personal role in the child’s life

Establishing paternity can also give your child benefits such as:

•    Having a relationship with both parents (again, regardless of the relationship between both parents)
•    Lifelong emotional support

It’s a sensitive subject in some cases, but studies show that most children are better off emotionally when they have a relationship with both parents, even if the parents don’t have a positive relationship amongst themselves.

Denver Paternity Rights to Establish Financial Support

Like it or not, no matter which side of the issue you are on, both parents owe a duty of financial responsibility their child.  The surest way to ensure the fair division of financial resources and obligations between the mother and the father is to consult a lawyer specializing in the area of Denver paternity rights.  If you are on the obligor end of the child support arrangement, remember that legally establishing your Denver paternity rights also guarantees your right to maintain a significant role in your child’s life.

Specific Denver paternity rights are established and agreed upon between the parties on a case by case basis.  For this reason, there is no “blanket” legal advice that you will find on the internet that you can be sure is the best advice for your particular case.  For this reason it is extremely advisable that you seek at least the legal consultation, if not full legal representation of a  Denver paternity lawyer specializing in Denver paternity rights.  Above all, remember that, while this may be a trying time right now, a child is a thing of beauty and wonder to be cherished for a lifetime.  Protect your rights to that child.

Monday, March 14, 2011

What Type of Denver Law Firm Do Your Need?

Seriously, the legal world can seem totally nonsensical unless you actually have a law degree.  Even then, it’s tough for “non-lawyers” to know just what kind of representation they might require in any given situation.  If you need some legal assistance, and you are wondering what type of Denver law firm can provide the type of service you need, here’s a little breakdown of some of the different types of lawyers to help you in your search.

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need?

Lawyers typically work in a specialized area.  With large law firms, you’ll be looking for the department that specializes in your particular area of need.  With smaller firms, you might find that the entire firm is dedicated to a singe specialty. So, the first step is to determine exactly what type of Denver law firm you should be looking for.  Lawyers can generally be broken down into two main categories, and more specific areas of specialty from there.

Criminal Lawyers

This category can be again broken down into two specific areas; Prosecution and Defense.  If you’ve broken the law and charges have been filed against you, you require the services of a criminal defense lawyer.

Civil Lawyers

For most circumstances (anything other than criminal defense), a civil attorney will provide the representation you require.  Within the area of civil law, you will find the following specialties:

Personal Injury
Bankruptcy
Immigration
Family Law
Intellectual Property
Estates and Wills
Business and Corporate

…to name a few of the more common specialty areas of civil law.  The Denver law firm you choose should have credentials and experience in the specific area in which you require representation.  For instance, if you are trying to get a patent on an invention, you will want to consult a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law.  However, if you find yourself going through a divorce or a child custody battle, you will require the services of a Denver law firm experience in the area of family law.

Michelle L. Walker is one such experienced attorney who can walk you through all areas of family law.  Walker Law Offices is a Denver law firm specializing in representation for individual and families who need help in areas such as:

Divorce
Legal Separation
Child Custody
Child Support
Adoption
Paternity
All areas of Family Law

So, if you find yourself in the position of trying to determine which Denver law firm is right for your particular situation, consider these areas of legal specialty before proceeding in your search.  Sit down, evaluate your situation, and determine exactly what kind of assistance and/or representation you need.  This will greatly help you narrow your search and greatly simplify the process of finding the best Denver law firm for your needs.  If you require assistance in the area of family law, however, look no further; Walker law offices has the experience and successful track record you are looking for.  Save your self a lot of time and aggravation searching blindly for a Denver law firm; contact Michelle L. Walker today.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Can You Afford a Denver Family Lawyer?


If you find yourself requiring the services of a Denver family lawyer, chances are you’re really excited about the prospect of incurring the expense of legal representation.  Depending on your particular situation, however, ensuring that your case is handled correctly can actually save you money well into the future.  This is especially true in the case of divorces and child support cases.  In addition to these factors, your Denver family lawyer just might be more affordable that you think.

How Your Denver Family Lawyer Can Save You Money

Think about it like this; if you’re going through a divorce, you’re probably not thinking straight.  You might be willing to give away too much just to get the situation over with.  You might be in a situation where you feel threatened or coerced by your spouse, causing you to give in to demands from the other side, which are far less than fair.  Especially if you have factors to consider such as valuable property and children, you definitely have interests to be concerned with, both now and in the future.  

Think about your Denver family lawyer as an investment in your future; quite possibly, even, the future of your children.  Who will get to keep the house?  Who will be responsible for which debts?  Who will pay child support to whom, and how much?  These are all decision which will be final upon the official dissolution of the marriage.  Your Denver family lawyer can help you protect your rights and keep your share.  When you put it in this kind of perspective, can you really afford not to hire a family lawyer?

How You Can Easily Afford a Denver Family Lawyer

First of all, it’s important to keep in mind that, as with anything, when it comes to hiring a Denver family lawyer, the cheapest is not necessarily the best.  On the other hand, they might be.  The best way to find out is to simply do some research.  It doesn’t take long, and it’s well worth that small time investment before investing your money in a Denver family lawyer.

The Initial Consultation

In most circumstances, your initial consultation should be free.  At this meeting, your Denver family lawyer should discuss optional fee structures with you so that you have an idea of what your financial obligation will be, and any payment options which may be available to you to help you manage the expense.  Some of these options might include:

Hourly Rate

Your family attorney’s hourly rate should be freely disclosed at the initial consultation, and they should also be able to give you an estimate of the time it will take to complete the necessary paperwork and procedures.  There are always variations possible in this estimate, as determined by unforeseen circumstances, but this should give you a pretty accurate idea of the total cost of legal representation.

Flat Fee

Some family attorney’s will work a particular type of case for a flat fee.  This is a great option, as there will be no surprises throughout the process.  Some lawyer’s do this and some don’t, and either a flat rate or hourly rate is considered fair and acceptable.

Payment Plans

Ask your family attorney if they offer the option of a payment plan.

If you need the assistance of a Denver family lawyer, don’t make the mistake of assuming that legal representation if financially out of reach.  Explore your options and protect your rights!





Saturday, March 12, 2011

Is a Denver Divorce Lawyer the Right Choice for You?

No matter what your personal circumstances, going through a divorce is guaranteed to be a tough time.  It can be emotional on many levels.  Your future is uncertain.  And, honestly, the whole legal process involved with any divorce is downright confusing.  It’s difficult to make any kind of decision with confidence and certainty during a time like this, but it’s important that you know you have options; lots of options, actually.  Here’s a breakdown of the most common ways to obtain a divorce, to help you determine if a Denver divorce lawyer is the right choice for your particular situation.

Denver Divorce Lawyer vs. Paralegal Service

If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are on 100% agreeable terms and you don’t have a lot of complicated assets/debts to divide or child custody/support to work out, then a paralegal service may be adequate in simply helping your prepare the necessary paperwork to legally dissolve the marriage.  This option is a sort of compromise between the “do-it-yourself” divorce and hiring the full services of a Denver divorce lawyer.  However, if you anticipate a battle, you might find yourself hiring a lawyer before the whole mess is over, anyway.  However, if upon consultation with a Denver divorce lawyer it is determined that your case doesn’t necessarily require legal representation you may be referred to a paralegal to guide you through the paperwork and court process.

The “Do-It-Yourself” Divorce

Sad, but true, divorces are so common these days that you can actually get yourself a “divorce kit.”  These are often available at your local bookstore and sometimes even for free through your local courthouse.  BEWARE, however, when you choose the “do-it-yourself” divorce option.  It won’t take long to figure out that even with a “kit,” even the simplest divorce paperwork can be totally confusing.  If you think about it, this isn’t really an area where you should be leaving anything to chance, so if you are uncertain about any portion of the process you should consider consulting a Denver divorce lawyer before proceeding.

You’ll also find lots of so-called divorce services on the internet.  Again, while this type of assistance may be right for a few individual with extremely simplified divorce agreements, use caution, as most of these services are really just a type of assisted do-it-yourself option.

Hiring a Denver Divorce Lawyer

After exploring all of the options, hiring a Denver divorce lawyer turns out to be the best choice for most people going through a divorce or legal separation.  Even if you know a thing or two about family law, this is still a really tough time to go through on your own.  Your Denver divorce lawyer can provide the guidance and support you need to make good decisions and settle for your fair share in the end.

When it comes to getting a divorce, you have a lot of options.  You also have a lot of compromising to do and decisions to make.  Where you are able to go from here could depend very much upon the agreements reached with your ex-spouse, particularly in the division of debts and assets.  Don’t take any chances.  Hire a Denver divorce lawyer to help you with your divorce.













Denver Divorce; What Are Your Options?

Divorce is all too common these days, but that doesn’t make it any easier.  And the fact of the matter is that when you’re going through a divorce, this is an absolutely crucial time to make sure that you are looking forward to ensure your best interests in the final settlement.  You are going to be on your own again, after all.  However, when you’re in the middle of a divorce, it’s almost impossible to be truly objective—even reasonable—throughout the dissolution of the marriage.  A Denver divorce lawyer can help you through this very difficult time, simultaneously ensuring your best interest for the future and a fair settlement as the end result of the divorce.

You might be thinking something along the lines of, I can’t afford a lawyer or I can just file the paperwork myself.  It would be nice if the world of divorce was that simple.  Unfortunately, it is anything but.  It’s true that you could try a DIY Denver divorce, but it’s also true that you will be leaving yourself extremely vulnerable in the process.

So, what are your options?  And why is a Denver divorce lawyer such an important asset to have on your side?  

Why a Denver Divorce Lawyer is a Good Idea

Let’s face it; when you’re going through something as life changing and traumatic as a divorce, you are not quite yourself.  Actually, you’re likely not yourself at all.  Whether you like to admit it or not the entire situation can leave you feeling hurt, betrayed, angry, even vulnerable and “out of touch” with the world at large.  Frankly, this is not a good time to be making major decisions in your life.  This is definitely not a good time to be attempting compromises and agreements with the person who is the object of your animosity.  This is where your Denver divorce lawyer can be an invaluable resource, not just for facilitating your divorce, but also for maintaining your very sanity.

How a Denver Divorce Lawyer Can Help

The legal ins-and-outs of even the simplest of divorces are still overwhelming to the average person.  It’s almost like that whole stack of papers is written in a foreign language.  Remember, the outcome of your divorce will be a large factor in the determining the circumstances under which you will begin your new life.  Is there a house involved, or other property?  Do you have children together?  From assets to debts, there should be a fair division.  This does not necessarily mean 50/50.  Your Denver divorce lawyer will help you figure out all of these things, and fight for you to get what’s fair.

When it comes to such a complex and life changing personal issue as a divorce, wouldn’t you feel more confident and comfortable with the support and assistance of a family law professional?  Of course you would.  Your Denver divorce lawyer can help you through this difficult time, and help ensure a good start for your future.