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Epps Divorce Highlights Need for Proper Representation
A recent court filing caught Mechelle Epps by surprise. Her husband of ten years, 44-year-old comedian Mike Epps, filed for divorce in late January. Mr. Epps maintains the couple split during the summer of 2015, while Mrs. Epps says they were together as recently as the beginning of 2016. The filing comes roughly six months after Mr. Epps was caught by his wife, flirting with another woman on the social media microblogging site, Twitter.
Custody Issues Arise During Divorce
As in many marriages, Mike and Mechelle Epps have children together. Their two daughters, an eight-year-old and ten-year-old, may end up being the subject of a custody battle between their parents; Mr. Epps is asking for joint custody of them, and Mrs. Epps has not yet said whether she will agree. Custody issues typically encompass a range of issues, including how much time each parent gets with the child; the amount of child support to be paid; which parent makes the primary decisions regarding the child’s health, education, and medical concerns; and many others. Divorce lawyers can help parents with each of these subjects, which must be addressed and decided based on the best interests of the child. Divorce lawyers typically work for an equitable and beneficial custody arrangement between the parties, especially in cases where both parents are considered fit.
Prenuptial Agreements
Mike Epps has been fortunate enough to land roles in big movies like “The Hangover,” “Next Friday,” and “Hancock.” These roles, along with his comedy career, have resulted in a net worth of around $6 million. The details of Mike and Mechelle’s financial arrangements and agreements have not been made public, and it is unknown whether a prenuptial agreement is in place for the couple. Couples who plan for the future with a prenuptial agreement may find it very beneficial in the event the marriage ends. However, even if a prenuptial agreement has been signed, divorce lawyers may still be able to comb through them to find loopholes or illegal conditions included therein. This highlights the necessity of consulting a lawyer when making these kinds of agreements.
Divorce and Other Family Law Matters
Cases involving divorce are always sensitive in nature. Both parties are probably emotionally drained and may be dealing with feelings of abandonment, anger, confusion, and more. Because of the often raw emotions surrounding most divorce cases, there is a consensus among family law attorneys that these cases are among the most challenging they face. The dissolution of the marriage also carries with it a multitude of other potentially emotionally charged issues, too, such as child support, alimony, division of assets, and others. Without the guidance of a divorce lawyer, these issues can blossom into nightmarish proportions, further injuring the remaining relationship between the parties and resulting in more time spent in court.
When to Consult a DuPage County Divorce Attorney
All of the legal matters attendant to divorce begin as soon as the couple decides to end the marriage. Spouses that are facing divorce, or believe their spouse might be planning to file, should consult with a DuPage County divorce lawyer as soon as possible to ensure their rights are protected during the divorce process. Facing the legal prospect of divorce is daunting, but doing so without proper representation can be both nerve-wracking and frightening.
However, divorce is not the only reason why someone might need to enlist the help of a DuPage County family law attorney. Changes in child support circumstances, amendments to previous divorce decrees, and adoptions also require the guidance of a family law attorney. These kinds of cases often have unexpected issues which must be resolved before they can be handled, and a lawyer with an understanding of family courts and family law may offer unique insights, perspective, and assistance to the involved parties.
Getting Representation in Divorce and Family Law Cases
Divorce cases have the potential to be exceedingly complex. Division of assets, allocation of spousal or child support, resolution of marital debts, child custody, and other issues can create a level of complexity that simply can’t be unraveled without the help of a divorce lawyer. For this reason, those who are faced with family law cases, including child custody and dissolution of marriage, should enlist the help of a DuPage County divorce lawyer as soon as possible. Without proper representation, divorce cases and other family law matters may end up as an ongoing problem, rather than a settled dispute. The decisions in a divorce case or other type of family law case should be fair and equitable to all parties. Cases involving children should reflect the best interests of the child. Enlisting the assistance of a divorce lawyer can help ensure that spouses and other family members have their best interests represented throughout the case.
