Experts You May Need When You Divorce

When people begin the divorce process here in Bucks County , they usually don’t realize how many aspects of their lives will be impacted. Having experts in different fields to guide you through the process can help you get to the other side with minimum frustration and maximum benefits. Here is a list of the most likely experts you should consider:

Divorce attorney: There are few situations in which a couple can successfully perform a do-it-yourself divorce without becoming bitter during the process or regretting it afterwards. There are just too many factors and too much emotion.  

Hiring an experienced divorce attorney with a good reputation, someone who is an expert in the law and the courts and who knows all the nuances and pitfalls of the process, will help you avoid many problems you might have had, had you filed on your own. In addition, after reviewing your personal situation, your attorney will probably be able to recommend other professionals he or she considers to be helpful to you.

Mediator: Often already on the attorney’s team, a mediator can help bring about agreement on matters of child support and alimony, asset division, retirement accounts, and more. Reaching common ground by mediation prevents these matters from becoming part of public record in court proceedings.

Estate attorney: An estate attorney will help you create a new will, health care proxy, power of attorney, and trusts for your children.

Tax attorney: Divorce has tremendous impact on the taxes of most couples.  A tax attorney experienced in handling divorce cases can help you craft a financial plan that will create the smallest tax impact.

CPA: A Certified Public Accountant can help divide expenses, as well as run estimates of future income and expense after the divorce. This can help you determine how much alimony or child support you need, or how much you can afford to pay. A CPA is also particularly helpful if a spouse owns a business.

Forensic accountant: This specialist can dive into the details of finances at a much deeper level and is especially important if you suspect your spouse is hiding assets.

Financial Advisor: An advisor or Certified Financial Planner will help you develop a plan to rebuild wealth after your divorce. In high-asset situations, you may want to engage a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who is trained specifically in the more nuanced aspects of divorce finances.

Counselor/Therapist: For most people, divorce is one of the most difficult emotional situations they have to endure. Having a person with whom you can discuss your feelings in a safe environment is often a necessity. Find an expert who deals with divorce, perhaps a Licensed Marriage and Family Specialist, to help you and the children cope in a healthy way.  

Sometimes emotions can actually get in the way of effective legal representation. In such cases, talking to a counselor or therapist will also help your lawyer get the information needed and craft a plan that keeps the emotional health of you and your children in mind.

Childcare: If you have young children, you may need to find reliable childcare or babysitters to watch the children when you meet with the lawyer. Childcare costs after the divorce should also be considered in the settlement.

You may not need all of these experts in your particular situation, but be prepared to call on some of them. Our team at the Law Office of Elissa C. Goldberg can tell you what to look for when choosing an expert and can recommend some experts to you.  

-Elissa C. Goldberg, Esquire

Law Office of Elissa C. Goldberg
107 North Broad Street, Suite 211
Doylestown, PA 18901