Divorce can be an emotionally trying ordeal. For many people, the time, stress, and money involved are overwhelming. If a family law matter is in your future, it may be tempting to handle your case yourself. So why should you hire a Meridian, Idaho family law attorney?
To begin with: you need someone who knows the law. Knowing the facts of your case is only half the battle. If you want to win, you need to be familiar with the laws and how they will affect your case. Statutes, case law, local court rules, and rules of civil procedure are all relevant. Failure to know or understand an important rule or legal standard could jeopardize or destroy your case. A Meridian, Idaho family law attorney will have the necessary experience to navigate the law and its complexities.
Another major part of any court case is following deadlines. The court system relies upon deadlines to ensure that cases progress to resolution. There are deadlines to file and answer court pleadings and other documents, answer discovery requests, and respond to subpoenas. You may have an order in your case that establishes important time frames or due dates for the parties. Some deadlines are less apparent than others, especially if you are not familiar with the applicable law or rules. However, missing a date or time limit could be problematic and maybe even land you in trouble with the judge. A significant part of what your Meridian, Idaho family law attorney does, therefore, is managing deadlines.
There are potentially numerous individuals besides the plaintiff and defendant who could be involved in your case. These include witnesses, family members, social workers, employers, and other third parties. These individuals and entities will each possess certain information relevant to your matter. An experienced Meridian, Idaho family law attorney will know who might be needed to help you win. Your attorney will also know which witnesses or other parties will not prove useful to your case. There’s no need to call witnesses at a trial or hearing who won’t help your case.
Familiarity with legal terms (not just the law) is something with which your Meridian, Idaho family law attorney can assist. The discovery process is an example of when this may arise. Discovery refers to the methods by which either party in a case attempts to gather all relevant information. These methods include interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, subpoenas, and depositions. Throughout the discovery process, you are likely to encounter “legalese.” These words and phrases will likely not be familiar to someone inexperienced with the law. Your attorney’s job is to guide you through all of this.
Another significant part of any domestic matter is managing communications. During your case, you can expect to exchange information with the court, opposing counsel, and other parties. Certain rules may govern these communications, especially with respect to contacting judges. As for interacting with the opposing side, you’ll want to make sure you don’t inadvertently reveal confidential or sensitive information. Your attorney’s job is to safeguard your information and make sure it is communicated properly and at the right time.
Finally, you need an attorney who can exercise objective judgment in your case. Emotions are almost certainly running high, especially if you’re dealing with custody or money. You will likely only see the facts in the light most favorable to you. This can limit your perspective and hurt your case. The benefit of having an attorney is having someone who can examine your case from the outside. A Meridian, Idaho attorney will view the facts for what they really are and will give you honest, realistic expectations.
Speak To An Idaho Family Law Attorney About Your Case
Family law cases run the gamut of difficulty. But no matter what kind you’re going through, you need a skilled attorney by your side. An experienced divorce lawyer will understand the legal system and will know how best to advocate for your interests. Don’t risk being taken advantage of by lawyers on the other side. Call the Idaho Divorce Center today to discuss your case.
