Frequently Asked Questions
What types of
legal problems do you handle?
Attorney Monaco
focuses her practice on family-related cases. This includes divorce, dissolution,
child support, custody, visitation, paternity, and domestic violence
protection orders.
Do you offer a
free consultation?
Yes, I offer a free 30-minute consultation. I offer daytime, evening, and
weekend appointments. Please
call 330-630-9900 to schedule your consultation.
What is
the difference between a divorce and a dissolution?
A dissolution is a voluntary, agreed-upon legal
proceeding that terminates your marriage. You enter into a written agreement
with your spouse, then file your case with the court, and then attend a
final court hearing. With a
divorce, you file your case with the court first, and then participate in a
series of hearings until the case is either ended by agreement or by a
trial.
How long
does it take to get a dissolution?
Once you and your spouse have entered into a written
agreement, you can immediately file your dissolution case with the
court. Once your case is filed,
a final hearing is held between 30 and 90 days later.
How long
does it take to get a divorce?
It depends on the complexity of your case and whether
your spouse contests the case.
If your case is not complex and your spouse does not contest the
divorce, a final hearing can be scheduled approximately two months or four
months later, depending on how busy the court docket is. Complex and contested divorces often
take a year or more.
What do I need to do to get my case started?
Pick up the phone and call Attorney Monaco. Tell her that you are ready to get
started. Once you have signed a
Legal Services Agreement and paid your deposit, Attorney Monaco will
collect the necessary information from you to begin your case. You will need to fill out certain
forms and sign certain legal documents.
What information will Attorney Monaco need
from me to begin my divorce?
Among other information, Attorney Monaco will
need you and you spouse’s name, address, date of birth, and social
security number.
Is there any way to save attorney’s fees?
Yes. You can
save on the amount of attorney’s fees you incur by using your time
with your attorney wisely. Here
are some examples. Make
effective use of telephone calls and emails—do not call your attorney
just to “vent” about your spouse, call a friend instead. Do as much of the legwork yourself
as possible, like finding copies of your automobile titles and the balance
due on your debts. Send your
attorney any and all requested documents in a timely manner so that your
attorney does not have to spend time sending reminders or tracking down the
documents herself. Also, let
your attorney know any thoughts you have on this.
© 2008 Attorney Deborah J. Monaco
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