You may be considering divorce, or your spouse may have broached the subject with you. You may be in the middle of a divorce right now and feel uncertain about how it is going. You may already be divorced and have questions about your post-divorce finances or parenting issues. The path forward may seem neither clear nor demarcated, and you may not know how to begin your travels.
At Ruel Burns Feldman we believe that a divorce can be a foundational change for a family, which should be handled with great attention, discretion, and sensitivity for those involved. We see our role as trusted advisors as helping you to navigate the road ahead by addressing immediate issues and planning for the future. We work with you to develop clear, reasoned goals from the outset of your divorce and create an individualized plan to move you forward toward those goals.
Understanding Your Divorce Process Options
You and your spouse have several options regarding the divorce process. Our divorce lawyers are trained in and have broad experience with the various options, including traditional litigation and the non-adversarial options of collaborative divorce and mediation. A divorce process may be started by one of the spouses without input from the other spouse. No matter what process you may be involved in, our family law attorneys are ready to advocate for you.
Regardless of how you and your spouse choose to get divorced, you will have to address a number of topics as part of the separation and untangling of your lives. Your divorce may involve the following areas:
- Child custody
- Parenting plans
- Child support and child-related expenses
- Alimony
- Division of property
- Closely-held or family businesses
- Trusts
Handling Complex Family Matters
At Ruel Burns Feldman our divorce lawyers are experienced in handling complicated parenting issues. Our team routinely works with mental health professionals and substance abuse experts to address and manage issues and allegations related to mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and parenting arrangements.
Our team also analyzes complicated compensation structures of self-employed business owners and high-income earners, including retirement, deferred compensation, and executive compensation awards, such as stock awards and performance-based awards, and we coordinate the valuation of significant assets, including closely-held or family businesses, trusts, and foreign real estate. This may involve forensic CPAs, accountants, appraisers, business valuation experts, and attorneys who practice in related areas, such as trust and estates and employment law. Armed with such information and knowledge, our clients have achieved their goals and obtained more favorable outcomes through negotiated settlements and agreements in litigation, mediation, and collaboration.
At Ruel Burns Feldman our family law attorneys use their experience, acumen, and professionalism when advising, advocating for, and pursuing desired outcomes for clients and their families both through negotiated agreements and through court orders after a trial.
If you desire a trusted advisor to help calm the waters and chart a path forward, contact our experienced divorce lawyers at Ruel Burns Feldman , at 860-206-9096 or through our online contact form to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the division of high-value assets work in a Connecticut divorce?
A: Connecticut is an equitable distribution state, meaning assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Our firm works with forensic accountants and valuation experts to ensure complex assets like businesses, trusts, and stock awards are accurately valued and divided.
Q: How do financial transparency and digital assets impact divorce litigation?
A: Financial transparency plays a pivotal role in divorce litigation, particularly with the increasing prevalence of digital assets like cryptocurrency. Courts require full disclosure of all marital assets, and any failure to provide accurate information can lead to legal penalties and complications in the case. Digital assets often require detailed investigation and expert analysis to ensure proper valuation and equitable division, making them a key focus in contested divorce proceedings.
Q: Can I start the divorce process without my spouse’s input?
A: Yes, a divorce process may be initiated by one spouse filing a complaint without the prior input or consent of the other spouse. However, the other spouse must be served with legal papers and given an opportunity to respond.
Q: What is the benefit of using a divorce mediation law firm?
A: Using a divorce mediation law firm allows couples to negotiate the terms of their divorce cooperatively outside of court. This process often saves time, reduces costs, and minimizes emotional conflict compared to traditional litigation.