Paul Horton: Qualities You Should Look for in a Divorce Lawyer

Once you have decided to end your marriage, you should begin the search for a divorce attorney who can help you through all the legal steps associated with the process. But how can you choose a divorce lawyer who is right for you?

Below are some qualities you should prioritize in any attorney you choose to consult:

Experience: You’ll want to work with an attorney who has a wealth of experience in divorce cases, along with a track record for success in getting positive results for clients in the past.
Compassion: The divorce process is never easy for the people going through it. It is important that your attorney is empathetic and compassionate so he or she can help you navigate what is likely to be one of the more difficult periods of your life.
Track record in mediation: You want to avoid having to go to court, if at all possible, that so you can maintain control over the results of your case. To that end, seek an attorney who has a strong track record in mediation and is trained in collaborative divorce practices.
Communication: Any lawyers you work with should make themselves available to speak with you on a regular basis. When issues arise in your case, it should not be difficult to get in touch with your attorney. Your legal counsel should make you feel that your case truly matters.

Allowing Children to Travel Internationally with a Former Spouse

What used to be a rare occurrence is now quite common: children frequently travel to international and exotic locales. But what if you are divorced and your ex-spouse who wants to take your child beyond U.S. borders?

While such trips may not present a risk to many divorced couples, other individuals may worry that once a child is on foreign soil with a former spouse, all bets will be off in terms of support agreements or other court-ordered arrangements. Worse, some fear that the other parent will abduct the child.

To prevent that sort of nightmare from occurring, parents should take precautions before their child leaves home, or when they themselves are travelling alone with their children:

Know the law. First off, parents should consult an experienced attorney to ensure that they are clear on any applicable laws in the country where the child is travelling and how that might affect arrangements already in force.
Require a bond. Some divorced parents also require the other party to secure a surety bond and post it to the court before leaving the country. This bond, typically in the amount to pay for pursuing international legal action, is intended to guarantee that the travelling parent will adhere to custody agreements while abroad.
Set up an alert. Parents can also contact the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Issuance Alert Program to ensure that the other parent meets the requirements for parental consent before obtaining a passport.

Along with these steps, parents should ensure that they have a clear plan for communicating with their child — perhaps through Skype or other device — to allay their fears and ensure that the trip is going as planned.

Free Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer

If you have a question about divorce, family law, child custody or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.