Whether you are considering filing for divorce, or have already been served with divorce papers, it is important to contact a divorce lawyer who can help you understand your rights, explain the divorce process, and help you navigate life’s changes that come with Divorce.
Divorce involves the division of marital property and marital debts, the restoration of non-marital and pre-marital property, and in some cases – parenting issues. Depending on the length of the marriage and the specific factors of each case, one spouse may be entitled to maintenance, also known as spousal support or alimony. When the couple has children, the divorce proceedings will also include determining custody rights, establishing a parenting schedule, and setting child support.
Divorce is more than just the end of a relationship, it involves a legal process, and it is important to work with an experienced family lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you receive everything to which you are entitled. There are many factors in every divorce, and the specific issues will be different between every couple. Understanding your case and how the law applies are key factors in minimizing litigation costs and achieving the best outcome. Contested divorces may be resolved through alternative dispute resolution, such as settlement negotiations, mediation, or the Collaborative Divorce process. If you are unable to reach a resolution through the use of mediation, settlement negotiations or the Collaborative Divorce process, your case will ultimately be decided by the Court. The lawyers at Durrett & Kersting will work with you to provide individualized legal advice and representation throughout your case to help you navigate this process in whatever form it takes.
Kentucky and Indiana are both no-fault, equitable division divorce states. In every divorce, the parties’ marital assets and marital debts will be equitably divided, without consideration of the cause of the breakdown of the marriage. Marital property includes all assets acquired during the marriage, that are not considered pre-marital or non-marital, regardless of how the property is titled or whose income paid for the asset. As part of their divorce case, parties will exchange financial information to establish a comprehensive picture of all the assets that are subject to division. Following the disclosure of assets, the marital estate will be equitably divided either by agreement of the parties following settlement negotiations or mediation, or by the Court following a divorce trial.
In addition to dividing marital assets, the divorce process involves the division and allocation of marital debts. Distribution of marital debts will take multiple factors into consideration, including when the debt was incurred, who incurred the debt, and who benefited from the debt.
Contact your Louisville Family Lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss the division of marital assets and debts in your divorce and make sure your rights are protected.
When the parties to a divorce have children, their divorce case will also address issues relating to the care, custody, and control of their minor children. For additional information, you can visit our CHILD CUSTODY and PARENTING TIME pages.
In Kentucky, spousal support - commonly known as "alimony"- is referred to as "maintenance". Depending on the specific factors in a marriage, including the length of the marriage and the income of the spouses, one party may be entitled to short-term, long-term, or lifetime maintenance. The Court may also consider the inequity of income in deciding if one party is entitled to have the other party pay his or her attorney's fees. The lawyers at Durrett & Kersting, PLLC have extensive experience representing parties who may be obligated to pay their spouse maintenance as well as those who may be entitled to receive maintenance. Contact your Louisville family lawyer today for a free consultation.
While divorce can be stressful and difficult for many individuals, this can be especially true when the marital estate contains complex or significantly valuable assets. Navigating high-asset divorces requires the attention and skills of an experienced legal team dedicated to protecting your financial interest. The Attorneys at Durrett & Kersting, PLLC can help you navigate this process and protect your legal interests. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
While all marital assets are subject to equitable division in divorce actions, pre-marital and non-marital assets held by either party are not subject to division; these assets are awarded to the owning spouse.
Non-marital assets include property received by one spouse by gift or inheritance during the course of the marriage. In order to assert a non-marital interest in an asset the owning party must be able to prove the source of the asset and trace the asset from its original to its current form.
Pre-marital assets include property that was held by one party prior to the marriage and that is still in existence at the time of the parties’ separation. Pre-marital assets of a party can often change form over the course of a marriage. In order to assert a pre-marital interest in an asset, the owning party must be able to prove their original ownership of the asset and trace the asset from its original to its current form.
Ensuring you are awarded all of your pre-marital and non-marital property in a divorce action requires compliance with the specific tracing procedures outlined by the Courts. The attorneys at Durrett & Kersting, PLLC have extensive experience assisting clients to protect their pre-marital and non-marital assets through tracing. Contact your Louisville family law attorneys at Durrett & Kersting, PLLC to discuss the restoration and protection of your pre-marital and non-marital property.
Being self-employed or owning a small business can present unique challenges in many facets of life; this can be especially true when you are involved in a divorce. Determining whether the business is a marital asset and assessing the value of the company can have significant implications for both the division of the marital estate and the future of the business. Contact the Family Law Attorneys at Durrett & Kersting, PLLC for a free consultation to discuss how your business may impact your divorce case.
While some divorces can be resolved through settlement negotiations, mediation or the Collaborative Divorce Process, that is not always the case. When parties are unable to reach a resolution on their own, it becomes necessary to present the unresolved issues to the Court for determination. You will need an experienced litigation attorney to take your case to trial. The attorneys of Durrett & Kersting, PLLC have over thirty years of combined litigation experience. Contact the family law attorneys at Durrett & Kersting, PLLC today to discuss your case.
After you have been served with divorce papers, you have limited time to file a response. Failing to file a timely response may result in the loss of rights and protections. You should contact an experienced family law attorney for assistance in filing your response.
Parties filing divorce in Kentucky must be separated at least 60 days before the divorce can be granted. "Separated" in this sense does not mean "living apart," but rather "the date of last intimate contact." As long as the parties have been separated for 60 days, and do not have children, the length of the divorce depends on how quickly the parties can come to a settlement, or have their case heard before a Judge.
For couples who have children and have filed for divorce, a waiting period of 60 days must elapse from the time the divorce is filed, until it can be granted. The parties must also have their Families In Transition classes completed before the divorce can be granted.
At Durrett & Kersting, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, we help Kentucky and Indiana families and individuals make wise legal decisions in all aspects of their lives.
Our attorneys and staff have more than 35 years of combined legal experience which allows us to confidently explain all aspects of your case to you, including the pros and cons and potential outcomes. We show you genuine compassion while we rigorously work to resolve your issues and concerns.
Areas of Practice: Family Law, Divorce, Custody, CPS Cases, Spousal Support, Personal Injury Law, Criminal Law, Gay & Lesbian Family Law, same-sex family law, Truck Accident, Motor Vehicle Accidents, and Legal Separation Law
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