Let A Divorce Attorney Guide You Through Manchester, NH Court Hearings and Towards Your Goals
Our attorneys believe that divorce does not have to be combative, but are prepared to work through disagreements as diligently as necessary
A divorce attorney with experience in Manchester, NH area courts can ensure that your divorce process is completed as seamlessly as possible. If you are seeking a divorce and you live in the Manchester, NH area, there are a few key factors for you to be aware of. First, knowing which court you will be dealing with is essential. There are four Family Division courts in Hillsborough County. These Family Division courts handle divorce and other matters that may pertain to your divorce, such as child custody and parenting actions. The Manchester Family Division Court is located at 35 Amherst Street and serves residents of Manchester, Amherst, Lyndeborough, and Mont Vernon. If your town is not in this list, but you live in the Manchester area, then your hearing may instead be at one of the other three Hillsborough County Family Division Courts, which are in Goffstown, Merrimack, and Nashua.
Although each person’s divorce is different, the basic process still follows the same parameters. To summarize, the case must first be opened in the Circuit Court, Family Division by filing a petition, and financial information has to be shared. Usually the court then issues temporary orders, either after a hearing or by approving a temporary agreement. Before the final hearing, the court will schedule what is called a Pre-Trial Hearing to establish limits and deadlines for the Final Hearing. Lastly, the divorce is complete when either all settlement documents are filed or a court issues its final order following a Final Hearing.
Though there are uniform steps to follow, there are many details that must be addressed and that are best to discuss with an attorney. Before we even make way to the court, it is important that we meet with our clients to discuss their case and their desired outcomes. Initially, our divorce attorneys will speak with you about your concerns and expectations. It is beneficial to establish a long-term plan for the dissolution of your marriage, as this allows us to best address your needs. While we certainly want to focus on the long term, it is also pertinent that we dig at any pressing matters first. If there are any issues that need to be dealt with immediately, then we will want to handle those first and figure out what path is best for addressing those concerns.
When you meet with one of our attorneys to discuss your divorce, the meeting will occur at either our Concord or Portsmouth office, depending on which is more convenient. From our offices, we can fill out paperwork, discuss your divorce case, and address any other legal matters pertaining to your divorce, such as child custody, child support, and a parental plan, if children are involved.
Once we have discussed your case with you, we will file a petition to the court. The extent to which the court is involved thereafter depends on how much both parties can agree on. At every step of the way, you can avoid going to further court hearings by negotiating and reaching a settlement instead. The more that both spouses agree on from the onset, the easier and less expensive the divorce tends to be. For issues that the couple cannot agree on, the court must make the decision for them. It is ideal to figure out as much as possible without the court’s involvement, so that you have more control over the outcome of your case. The court almost always honors a plan that is mutually agreed upon. If you want to find a way to compromise without the court’s interference, one of our attorneys can also serve as your divorce mediator.
We believe that divorce does not have to be a combative process. Though we recognize that most divorcing couples will not agree on everything, we strive for the least costly and least emotionally challenging divorce cases. It is important to us that we attempt to ease our clients through their divorce as seamlessly as possible. That being said, we are prepared to act diligently with the other party if need be, in order to meet your goals.
While a simple phone call to the other party’s attorney can go a long way, some situations may demand that we act more aggressively and file a motion with the court. We will always talk with you first before filing a motion. It is important to us that we keep an open dialogue with our clients and constantly communicate about the best ways to get resolutions. We will always strategize with you in our approach by discussing the pros and cons of any action. In our dialogues, we will always refer back to your goals and remain mindful of both your emotional and financial costs.
Our divorce attorneys serve the Manchester NH area and understand that getting a divorce can be a difficult process. However, being supported, informed, and empowered can help reduce the impact on your life. Call Balkus Law at 603-225-1776 for an appointment and let us help you navigate your choices and reach your goals.