Divorce Lawyer Near Me in Jamestown RI

Divorces in Jamestown Rhode Island

Going through a divorce is draining, even if you both agree on the major decisions. Your attention is suddenly split between legal paperwork, childcare, finances, and so much more. This is why hiring a dedicated, experienced Jamestown divorce lawyer like Susan T. Perkins should be one of your top priorities.

For more than two decades, the Law Offices of Susan T. Perkins have specialized in helping people through the complex process of divorce in Jamestown RI. You see, the details of your divorce agreement can affect your life for years to come—and working with a skilled lawyer can make a world of difference.

Elements of a Divorce in Jamestown RI

Choosing to get a divorce in Jamestown RI is the first of many decisions that’ll be made during this process. Before your marriage is legally dissolved, you and your spouse will need to consider:

• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Alimony
• Property Division

Even though you likely want to finalize your divorce as soon as possible, it’s unwise to take these details lightly.

The decisions you make here can impact your finances for years—potentially decades—to come. Protect your best interests throughout the process by hiring a focused, knowledgeable Jamestown divorce attorney like Susan T. Perkins.

Child Custody in Jamestown RI

If a couple seeking a divorce in Jamestown RI has children, the best interests of those children become the top priority (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16). Your divorce won’t be finalized until these details are settled.

In Jamestown, RI, there are two specific types of child custody:

• Legal custody – The parent with legal custody has the authority to make important decisions that affect your child. A court may award this to one or both parents.
• Physical custody – The parent with physical custody actually lives with the child. As with legal custody, this may be awarded to one or both parents.

You also need to know that while your child may be given the chance to express their preferences, the court gets the final say. Hiring a strategic, skilled Jamestown divorce lawyer such as Susan T. Perkins is the best way to ensure you win a fair custody agreement.

Child Support in Jamestown RI

Child support is an unavoidable part of the divorce process in Jamestown due to the aforementioned focus on the child’s best interests. Under RI law, the purpose of child support is to maintain the same standard of living and minimize disruptions to the children’s lives (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2).

The courts will use several factors to determine what these payments consist of, such as:

• The child’s educational needs
• Whether the non-custodial parent is incarcerated
• The child’s physical and emotional condition
• The child’s financial resources
• The custodial parent’s financial resources
• The non-custodial parent’s financial resources
• What the standard of living would’ve been if not for the divorce
• Whether the child has serious mental or physical health conditions

But under RI law, the court may also choose to consider any other factor they deem relevant to your unique situation. If you’d like to find out what your estimated payments might look like, contact Jamestown divorce lawyer Susan T. Perkins today at (401) 324-2990.

Alimony in Jamestown RI

In Jamestown RI, the purpose of alimony is to financially bolster the lower-earning spouse until they can support themselves (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16). The payments can last anywhere between a few months and many years—it all depends on the details of your marriage, like:

• Your health and age
• Each spouse’s income
• The length of your marriage
• Child custody arrangements
• Your marital standard of living
• How employable each of you are
• Your conduct during the marriage

Whether you’re expecting to obtain or pay alimony, the process can be very complex. Speaking with a divorce attorney in Jamestown RI such as Susan T. Perkins can clarify any confusion you might have and may save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Property Division in Jamestown RI

During a Jamestown divorce, property is divided according to “equitable distribution” laws (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.1). Any assets that either of you acquired with your own individual funds—instead of marital funds—are solely yours, even if the acquisition happened during your marriage.

However, proving you’re the sole owner of any specific asset is often easier said than done. Ideally, you’ll have documentation for these purchases and the funds used.

If, through collaborating with a Jamestown divorce attorney, you two can agree on how to divide everything, a formal marital settlement agreement (MSA) will be created. Otherwise, your case will be heard by the court. They’ll make the final ruling on who gets what in the divorce.

Protect What’s Rightfully Yours by Hiring an Experienced, Dedicated Jamestown Divorce Attorney

No matter how much time you spend preparing and researching, navigating divorce on your own is a draining, frustrating experience. This is because Rhode Island divorce laws are both intricate and exhaustive.

With over 20 years of experience helping individuals protect their best interests during divorce, Susan T. Perkins is deeply familiar with these laws and how they’ll apply to your unique case.

An aggressive, offensive approach is never effective in a Jamestown divorce. You need a Jamestown divorce lawyer who knows how to be strategic, detail-oriented, and who truly understands RI divorce laws.

When you choose Susan T. Perkins, this is exactly what you can expect. Call (401) 324-2990 to schedule your free case evaluation.

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