Crowley, LA asked in Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana

Q: What outcome should I expect from my divorce?

My wife and I were married just over a year ago. At the time we were married, she was a recently divorced mother of 3 children from her previous marriage, and we have no children of our own, nor any "community property" to speak of. After getting married, I moved into her house, which is completely under her name, and we made no major purchases or investments after our marriage. Since there are no children involved or major assets to dispute, what's the most my soon-to-be ex-wife could receive as an outcome of our divorce in the state of Louisiana? As of right now we are in the 180 separation phase, mandated by state law.

That being said, is it worth hiring an attorney of my own? This is my first marriage and divorce, but considering the simplicity and duration of the marriage, I have no clue what her attorney would be able to obtain on her behalf.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Ellen Cronin Badeaux
Answered
  • Covington, LA
  • Licensed in Louisiana

A: Her attorney can still seek spousal support. By the way, you can file for divorce at the beginning of the separation, instead of at the end of the 180 days, to prevent her from getting you in any debt. You should at the least consult with an attorney. Additionally, if you screw up a do-it-yourself divorce, your next marriage would be bigamy. A budget friendly alternative, if you both agree on everything, is to mediate your divorce. Usually about 1/3 the price of hiring an attorney to litigate your divorce.

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