Taxes, child support and planning your financial future can get lost in the shuffle during a divorce – so how can you keep everything straight while working, taking care of kids and meeting with your Raleigh divorce lawyer?
You may need the expert advice of an accountant. An accountant can help you manage your finances, keep you well-informed and provide you with facts that can help your Raleigh divorce lawyer during your divorce.
How Can an Accountant to Help with a Raleigh Divorce?
A qualified accountant can help you:
• calculate your (and your spouse’s) net worth so your Raleigh divorce lawyer can present your financial issues to the court.
• sort through complex tax issues.
• find money in your budget to pay your Raleigh divorce lawyer, court costs and other fees.
• provide you with accurate financial reports that you can give to your Raleigh divorce lawyer.
You may lose track of some assets – properties, vehicles, bonds and more – because you don’t think about them every day. Your accountant can keep track of your assets so you can focus on yourself and your family.
Asking Your Raleigh Divorce Lawyer for a Referral
Your Raleigh divorce lawyer may be able to refer you to a qualified local accountant. In many cases, Raleigh divorce lawyers appreciate when their clients work with accountants, because an accountant can provide an accurate financial blueprint during divorce. It doesn’t hurt to ask, especially when you consider that your Raleigh divorce lawyer has your best interests in mind throughout your divorce.
What to Look for in an Accountant
Although many people claim to be financial experts, you should only work with an accountant who has the proper credentials. Your Raleigh divorce lawyer can refer you to a credentialed professional, or you can begin the search on your own. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
• A Certified Public Accountant, or CPA, will have formal education in financial matters.
• A CPA with experience working through divorce cases will know how to prepare the right documents and reports to give your Raleigh divorce lawyer, thus benefiting your case.
• Having face-to-face meetings can help you determine which CPA you want to work with. If you are uncomfortable with a particular accountant, move on to the next.
• Different accountants have different fee structures – just like Raleigh divorce lawyers. Make sure you ask about payment terms during your initial meeting.
• You trust your Raleigh divorce lawyer with your personal affairs, so asking for a referral can help distinguish the best CPAs from others in your search.
How Important are Accurate Financial Records during Divorce?
Your Raleigh divorce lawyer can attest to the fact that during divorce, financial records must be incredibly accurate. If your finances are unclear, you risk losing more than your fair share of family assets. Many Raleigh divorce lawyers have seen cases in which one party inadvertently gives up too much. On the other hand, most Raleigh divorce lawyers are all too familiar with cases in which one party does not receive what he or she is entitled to receive.
It’s important to critically evaluate your financial situation and determine whether you can benefit from working with an accountant. Consult your Raleigh divorce lawyer if you’re having trouble deciding whether to handle your own finances or hire an accountant. Your Raleigh divorce lawyer can help you look at your situation objectively so that together, you can find a fair and balanced resolution.
