Know About Legal Experts: The Jobs of Divorce Attorneys and Bondsmen

Legal professionals play vital roles in our justice system, each specializing in different areas of law. Two common but distinct professions are divorce attorneys and bondsmen. While they both serve critical functions, their roles, responsibilities, and impacts on individuals’ lives vary significantly. If you’re unfamiliar with what these legal experts do, this guide will help break down the unique jobs of divorce attorneys and bondsmen, providing you with a deeper understanding of their roles in the legal landscape.

Divorce Attorneys: Advocates in Family Law

A divorce attorney specializes in cases involving marriage dissolution, custody battles, spousal support, and other legal matters within the family framework. A divorce can be a highly emotional and complex legal process, and a skilled divorce attorney helps clients navigate these challenges while safeguarding their rights.

1. Guiding Clients Through Divorce Procedures

Divorce is more than just signing a few papers; it involves legal processes that vary from one jurisdiction to another. Divorce attorneys walk their clients through all the steps involved, from filing the initial petition to resolving disputes in court if necessary. They ensure that clients understand their rights and the legal consequences of the decisions they make.

2. Handling Child Custody and Support Issues

One of the most contentious aspects of divorce is child custody. Divorce attorneys work to protect their client’s interests in child custody cases, ensuring that custody agreements are fair and that the child’s best interests are at the forefront. Additionally, they help negotiate child support arrangements that meet legal standards.

3. Division of Property and Assets

A critical part of a divorce settlement is dividing property and assets. Divorce attorneys work to ensure that their clients receive a fair share of marital property, from the family home to financial accounts and other assets. In some cases, this might also involve managing debt division and disputes over high-value assets.

Bondsmen: Facilitating the Bail Process

Bondsmen, or bail bond agents, are legal professionals who assist in the criminal justice system by posting bail for individuals charged with a crime. When someone is arrested, they can be released from custody if they post bail – a sum of money that acts as collateral, ensuring that the individual returns for their court date. Many people cannot afford the full amount of bail, which is where a bondsman comes in.

1. Providing Bail Bond Services

When a person is arrested and bail is set, the bondsman steps in to pay a percentage of the bail on behalf of the defendant. In exchange, the defendant or their family pays the bondsman a non-refundable fee, typically around 10% of the bail amount. This allows the defendant to be released from jail while awaiting trial without having to pay the full bail amount themselves.

2. Ensuring Court Appearances

One of the bondsman’s primary responsibilities is ensuring that the defendant shows up for their court hearings. The bail bond acts as a financial guarantee that the defendant will return to face their charges. If the defendant fails to appear, the bondsman becomes responsible for paying the full bail amount to the court. To avoid this, bondsmen may take additional steps, such as hiring bounty hunters to track down clients who skip bail.