Definition of a Divorce Attorney A divorce attorney handles divorce disputes amongst couples. These disputes can probe a number of legal issues, such as child custody battles and fights over ownership rights of property. A divorce lawyer is responsible for handling it all.

The typical divorce lawyer is experienced in a court-room setting. In many states, divorce proceedings must be heard before a judge. Some states may allow couples to settle their disputes in front of an arbitrator. A divorce attorney is knowledgeable about the divorce proceeding requirements for a particular state. Because each state differs in how it handles divorce, one should hire a lawyer with a specialty in divorce law.

For couples who have disagreements over property, hiring a divorce attorney is important. A legal professional will negotiate on a client's behalf for his or her portion of assets after a dissolution of marriage. Without representation of a legal divorce professional, one can be at risk for losing a majority of his or her assets. In a majority of states, a spouse is entitled to at least half of all the assets acquired during a marriage.

This means that a spouse may receive half of the financial assets in bank accounts, as well as part ownership in any homes or vehicles. A legal professional can help negotiate an agreement that may offer a better resolution than this traditional means of distributing assets. A legal professional may also be required for negotiating time share rights of a parent. A father may wish to have greater rights to see his children after a dissolution of marriage.

A legal professional will be responsible for knowing a state's law on time sharing rights and applying it to a particular situation. A legal professional will also be responsible for negotiating child custody rights of a parent.