Divorce Law in Bozeman, MT
Understanding your rights and legal options becomes vital when relationships unravel in Bozeman. The desire for a fair resolution motivates many to seek legal help.
Consulting with a divorce attorney is the first step towards reclaiming control. This guide will be your roadmap to how state law works and finding legal counsel.
Issues Involved in Bozeman, Montana Divorce Law
There are many complicated issues that you need to settle during the divorce process. Many of these elicit strong emotions from one party or the other, resulting in volatility.
Dividing Property
One of the most challenging issues in the divorce law process is dividing property, debts and assets. In many states, like Montana, anything you and your spouse purchased over your marriage is subject to division. This includes things such as real estate, bank accounts, cars, stocks, etc. Some states split marital property evenly, while others go along an equitable split. In the latter, the judge weighs the contribution each spouse made to the marriage and uses that information to decide the disposition property, which may not equate to a perfect 50/50 division of your property, debt, and other assets..
Child Support
Both parents are responsible for paying for the care of their children. There is a child support guideline that helps determine how much each parent should contribute based on their income and the amount of time they spend with the children. Child support pays for things such as healthcare, food, clothing and other basic needs.
Child support payments in Bozeman depend on your situation. The state examines incomes and specific expenses for your child or children. The guidelines aim to ensure that child support amounts are fair and equitable, reflecting the financial capabilities of each parent.
Alimony
Alimony, or spousal support, can vary dramatically depending on the marriage, and Bozeman, MT divorce law court looks at multiple factors when determining the amount and length of alimony, including:
- A spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay
- The age and health of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s earning capacity and level of education
- The division of property
- Parental responsibility of the children
- Sole investments and assets of either spouse
Spousal support can take many forms in Bozeman. For example, temporary alimony lasts during the divorce proceedings. Rehabilitative alimony aims to assist a spouse in acquiring education or job skills to become self-supporting. Lastly, permanent alimony occurs when someone cannot reach financial independence due to age, disability, or other factors.
Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody is perhaps the most emotional issue during a divorce that involves children. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the court bases all decisions on what is in the best interest of the child. Keeping this in mind may help navigate the rough waters of custody.
In Bozeman, vital factors the court system considers include the following:
- The child’s emotional and physical needs
- The parent’s wishes
- The child’s relationship with each parent and other family members
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
Generally, Bozeman, Montana courts award joint legal custody giving both parents the legal right to make decisions for the children, such as education, medical care and religious practices. Legal custody has nothing to do with physical custody or visitation. Joint custody does not mean both parents split time with the child evenly, just as Sole legal custody does not bar the non-custodial parent from visiting the child.
The Process of Going Through Divorce Law in Bozeman, Montana
Are you leaning towards getting a divorce from your partner? If so, it is important to understand the necessary steps of the divorce law process.
Step 1: File the Divorce Law Petition
The divorce law process begins when one spouse files a legal petition to terminate the marriage. The petition must include:
- A legal reason for divorce (grounds for divorce)
- A statement that shows at least one spouse meets the state’s residency requirements for divorce
- Other statutory information your state requires
Most states offer the option for filing a no-fault divorce, which does not require a legal reason for the divorce.
Montana recognizes no-fault divorces in Bozeman. You can separate without assigning blame to your spouse.
Step 2: Request Temporary Orders
The divorce law process in Bozeman can take several months, but temporary orders can be requested and approved for a multitude of reasons, including:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Property restraining orders
- Status quo orders
Request temporary orders as quickly as possible so you are not absent the resources or protection that you need.
Step 3: Serve Your Spouse and Wait for Their Response
If you are the one who files a petition for divorce, you must have your spouse served with their divorce law papers and then file a proof of service with the courts. If your spouse accepts service, then they need to fill out an affidavit to that effect. However, in many cases, the petitioner must hire a process server or sheriff to formally serve the petition on the other spouse. It is this third-party who then records the proof of service.
Step 4: Try To Come to an Agreement
The best outcome for anyone going through this process is to have an uncontested divorce, meaning both spouses agree on all issues.
This can be reached between both partners or with the help of a mediator. Not only will this save each spouse money, but there will typically be a lot less animosity.
Step 5: Go To Court
If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement, then the case continues before a Bozeman, MT judge. While there is some benefit to having a judge hand down orders, it may also be a detriment as there is little to no control of the agreement by the parties.
Divorce cases from Bozeman go through the district court system. Each county in Montana has its own, and they handle family law concerns.
Step 6: Receive the Judgement of Divorce
The divorce law trial will end with the official judgment of divorce, ending the marriage. This final dissolution of marriage sets out the details about property and debt division, child custody and all relevant issues between the couple.
Work With an Experienced Bozeman, Montana Divorce Law Attorney
If you are going through a divorce and are unable to reach an agreement with your partner, you should hire an experienced Bozeman divorce law attorney. A lawyer will fight for you and make sure you get what is yours. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Montana state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
There are still other areas of Bozeman law that could affect your case. Check out more details on the other articles on our site.
