How to Find a Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer for Men

Getting divorced is hard enough. So find a Rhode Island divorce lawyer that you like and trust.

Retaining a lawyer is probably one of the most important things you’ll do as you start your divorce proceedings.

It’s important that you know how to find a RI divorce lawyer to guide you though this traumatic time in your life.

Think about What Kind of Lawyer you Want or Need

Is your soon to be ex getting nasty, perhaps threatening to take the kids away by making false allegations of abuse if so, you need an aggressive, hard-nosed lawyer who can slug it out toe-to-toe with your spouse’s attorney.

Or, do you and your spouse agree on most issues and want a peaceful divorce. If that’s the case, you probably want a calm, easy going attorney who can guide you through the proceedings without creating a lot of drama.

Get referrals from family and friends to find a RI divorce lawyer

Ask people who have been through a divorce about the attorneys they used.

Were they pleased with the work their lawyer did, would they recommend him or her to friends, Did they consider their attorney’s rates fair and his or her behavior ethical.

People will tell you if their experience was a good one and then you’ll have the name of a good divorce attorney and if not then you’ll know whom to avoid..

Starting off with someone you know a little about is almost always better than choosing a blind ad from the Yellow Pages.

Finding a Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer isn’t That Hard

Once you have found someone you’re interested in working with, request a free consultation.

Many attorneys offer free consultations to discuss their services and fees and give you a chance to get to know them.

These meetings are almost always awkward and sometimes emotional, but there are a few things you should look for.

Is the attorney upfront about his or her fees, or does he or she weasel when asked a direct question about money, Do you feel comfortable talking to him or her. Is this someone you will be happy working with for the next several months and finally, does the attorney treat you with respect and concern, or are you just another case number?

After you find a Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer

• When you are ready to select them as your attorney, check with the local bar association to make sure the attorney is in good standing.
• You certainly don’t want to work with someone whose ethics have been called into questions or who may be about to lose his or her license.
• Part of finding a Rhode Island divorce lawyer is also admitting to yourself that your marriage is over and all that’s left is to dissolve it legally.
• This can be a bitterly painful experience, it can also be a new path to learning more about yourself and giving you light years of wisdom which you�ll grow to understand as time goes by.
  It may not be easy to find a Rhode Island divorce lawyer but more often than not, it is the best thing to do.

Rhode Island Divorce Rights for Fathers

Rhode Island divorce rights for fathers are much improved from the way they used to be. There used to be a time when divorced fathers didn’t have many rights.

Primary physical and legal custody was almost always given to the mother.. Dads if they were lucky saw their children a few times a month.

Many men grew so frustrated with this arrangement that they simply backed out of their children’s lives, leaving behind bitterly hurt feelings and broken relationships that would never entirely heal.

Today, things are different. Family court judges have begun to realize that both parents play an important role in the child’s upbringing and that fathers have divorce rights, too.

Some of the most important Rhode Island divorce rights men may exercise include many options.

The Right to Contest the Divorce

This is certainly a divorce right, but many attorneys urge that it is wiser to let this one pass. No judge in today’s society is going to force a couple to stay together when one wants out. Any man who continues to contest the divorce may easily come to appear overly-controlling or even threatening. Much as you might wish to stay married, sit this fight out unless your lawyer tells you differently.

The Right to File for Child Custody

In the past, custody wasn’t given to the father unless it could be proven the mother had done something heinous. Nowadays, custody is decided based on several factors including availability of a caregiver, stability of the household, ability to meet the child’s physical and financial needs, and child preference if the child is old enough to express an opinion. If as a man you feel you can give your child a better living environment than their mother could, it is absolutely your right to file divorce papers asking for custody.

The Right to Ask For Child Support

Also, as a man if you are given sole custody of your children, you have the right during the divorce proceedings to ask their mother to contribute to their support. The right to unsupervised visitation if you don’t get full custody of your children, you should ask for liberal, unsupervised visitation rights during your divorce. Supervision usually only becomes an issue when there are allegations or proven charges of child or spousal abuse against the non-custodial parent. If your spouse accuses you of any form of abuse, tell your attorney immediately.

The Right to be Free from Harassment

Sometimes an ex-spouse, displeased about how the divorce hearing went, will begin to harass you, calling you dozens of times during the day and night, stalking you, making threats or false allegations, etc. It is your absolute right to be free from this behavior.

If harassment is occurring, get in touch with your divorce attorney immediately, he or she may recommend filing a restraining order against your ex.

Even as little as twenty years ago, the idea of a father having any Rhode Island divorce rights in a divorce was almost unheard of.

These days, more than ever, fathers’ rights are being respected in divorce court.

If you feel you are getting the short end of the Rhode Island divorce rights stick, don’t suffer in silence, speak up through your attorney and demand your rights.