If you are going through the divorce process, you need to make important decisions regarding your future and your children’s. If you and your spouse agree on the basic issues in divorce, you may wonder whether or not to hire a Ridgeland family law attorney. Although this is not a requirement, it is best to work closely with a lawyer while you move forward through the divorce process. 

Important Divorce Decisions You Must Make

Although every divorce follows a unique path, there are basic decisions you need to make that can impact your life after divorce. These include the following:

• Child custody. If you and your spouse have kids, you should prioritize their health, needs, happiness, and wellbeing. Your separation is difficult on your kids and you want to come up with child custody arrangements that support them through the healing process after divorce. Talk to your spouse about who should get primary custody of your kids and who gets a visitation schedule. Although reaching an agreement in terms of child custody and finances is difficult, a skilled lawyer can help you sort things out. 
• Marital property division. Any property acquired during your marriage will be divided equitably during divorce. But, this problem can quickly become complicated. If one party brought the property into the marriage, it stays separate property; however, exceptions apply. For instance, the classification becomes different if the separate property has been intermingled with your marital property. Also, property division can become more complicated if there is a family business involved. Thankfully, a family attorney can help you understand what you are entitled to and get a share of the property that reflects your rights. 
• Child and spousal support. Typically, the parent who has the visitation schedule pays child support to the parent who has primary custody of the children. The amount of support awarded to the parent will depend on the calculations determined based on state guidelines. If you are the custodial parent, a family attorney will make sure you get the appropriate amount of child support from your ex. Also, your attorney will determine your eligibility for spousal support and ensure your rights are protected. 

Working with an Attorney in an Uncontested Divorce

Your divorce lawyer will make sure agreements protect your rights and your children’s. They will look at the significant divorce decisions you make from each angle and think about future ramifications like tax implications you probably failed to consider. Your lawyer will help you hammer out decisions in your divorce that work for you.