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Law Offices of Susan T. Perkins Esq. » Areas we serve in RI, MA and CT » Newport RI County Family Lawyer » Divorce Lawyer Near Me in Portsmouth RI

Divorce in Portsmouth RI

Deciding to get a divorce comes with a lot of work, whether it’s moving into a new place or establishing separate bank accounts. One of the most important things to prioritize is hiring a skilled, dependable Portsmouth divorce lawyer like Susan T. Perkins.

For over 20 years, Susan has helped clients in Portsmouth navigate complex, emotionally charged divorces. Your divorce settlement will impact your life for years to come, and having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference.

Aspects of Divorce in Portsmouth RI

Getting divorced isn’t as simple as deciding the marriage is over. A knowledgeable, attentive Portsmouth divorce lawyer can help you navigate these complex decisions:

The outcome of your divorce can have a huge influence on your financial stability for years—sometimes decades. It’s vital that you work with a skilled Portsmouth divorce attorney who can protect your rights throughout this process.

Portsmouth RI Property Division

Rhode Island is what’s called an “equitable distribution” state (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.1). This means any assets you acquired with your own funds—rather than shared funds—are your property, even if you acquired them while married.

But this fact doesn’t mean reaching a fair settlement with your soon-to-be ex will be easy. Providing documentation of what you purchased and with whose money is often challenging.

If you and your spouse can work everything out with the help of an attorney, a formal marital settlement agreement (MSA) will be drafted.

But if you can’t agree, your divorce case will be brought before the court. They’ll have the final say in property division.

No matter which route you ultimately go, the process is complex. You need an experienced, focused Portsmouth divorce lawyer to guide you through each step and protect what’s rightfully yours.

Portsmouth RI Alimony

In Portsmouth, RI, alimony is meant to financially support whichever spouse earns a lower income. These payments may last for only a few months or many years depending on the details of your marriage (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16).

Factors that impact alimony in RI include:

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

But these are just a few of many. To understand which specific factors impact your divorce case, contact Portsmouth divorce attorney Susan T. Perkins at (401) 324-2990.

Portsmouth RI Child Custody

When determining child custody in Portsmouth RI, courts always focus on the best interests of the child. A divorce can’t be finalized in Rhode Island until these terms are decided.

In Rhode Island, custody is split into two distinct types:

  • Physical custody – This means where the child will actually live. Courts may grant shared or sole physical custody. If you and your spouse can’t agree on this, the judge will lay out a plan based on what’s best for your child.
  • Legal custody – This means who has the authority to make important decisions regarding your child. Just like physical custody, the courts may grant shared or sole legal custody.

Working with an attentive, strategic divorce attorney in Portsmouth RI is the best way to ensure you win an equitable custody agreement and stay in your child’s life.

Portsmouth RI Child Support

Because Rhode Island courts prioritize the best interests of the child in a divorce, determining child support is part of the process. In RI, child support is meant to provide a child with the same standard of living they experienced while you and your spouse were married (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2).

The courts use several factors to calculate child support, such as:

  • The custodial parent’s financial resources
  • The non-custodial parent’s financial resources
  • The physical and emotional condition of your child
  • Your child’s educational needs

However, there is no step-by-step process for calculating child support in Portsmouth RI.

A highly knowledgeable, detail-oriented Portsmouth divorce lawyer like Susan T. Perkins can evaluate a proposed child support agreement to ensure it’s truly fair to you.

How an Experienced, Attentive Portsmouth Divorce Lawyer Can Help

With over 20 years of experience as a divorce attorney in Portsmouth RI, Susan T. Perkins knows what it takes to achieve a fair divorce settlement. Aggression and going on the offensive just aren’t effective tactics in a Rhode Island divorce.

Instead, you need a strategy, attention to detail, and a deep familiarity with the RI divorce process. This is exactly what you can expect when you work with Susan T. Perkins. Just call (401) 324-2990 to schedule your free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Portsmouth RI

How do I know if a divorce lawyer in Portsmouth is experienced in Rhode Island family law?

The best way to know if a divorce lawyer in Portsmouth is experienced in Rhode Island family law is by evaluating their:

  • Communication skills – An experienced Portsmouth divorce lawyer will be able to clearly answer your questions because they’re well-versed in RI family law
  • Case experience – While an attorney can’t share details of past cases, they should have experience dealing with common issues like custody and property disputes
  • Knowledge – If a divorce attorney is experienced in Rhode Island family law, they’ll immediately know which laws and guidelines apply in your case

Red flags include vague answers, a lack of clear communication, and failing to remember important details you’ve previously mentioned.

How long does the divorce process typically take in Portsmouth, RI?

In Portsmouth, RI, the divorce process can take anywhere between 75 days and multiple years—it all depends on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested.

Getting an uncontested divorce means you and your spouse fully agree on the terms for dissolving your marriage. In this scenario, a Portsmouth, RI divorce can take as little as 75 to 90 days.

A contested divorce means one of you disagrees with proposed terms, or you can’t agree on terms at all. When one spouse is unwilling, the process for divorce in Portsmouth, RI can sometimes take years.

How can I protect my assets during the divorce process in Portsmouth, RI?

The best ways to protect your assets during the divorce process in Portsmouth, RI are:

  • Identifying all of your assets as early as possible
  • Maintaining separate bank accounts once you decide to divorce
  • Gathering your financial records from the past few years
  • Closing joint credit cards to avoid shared debts
  • Hiring an attentive, knowledgeable Portsmouth divorce attorney

All in all, getting divorced isn’t easy. Collaborating with your soon-to-be ex while simultaneously fighting for what’s rightfully yours is quite the tall order—unless you work with a skilled, experienced Portsmouth divorce lawyer like Susan T. Perkins. Call (401) 324-2990 today to schedule your free consultation.