Divorce is painful, and it can be messy — emotionally, financially and socially. But there are things you can do to make the process less complicated and reduce your stress as you move through a difficult phase of your life.
It’s a fact: You can avoid certain pitfalls with the right legal guidance. Or you can risk allowing one or more of these things to happen to you by making the wrong choices or opting for quick fixes to complex problems.
1. Unfair division of property
Nobody wants to get the short end of the stick when they’re getting divorced, but it can happen easily without knowledgeable representation. The proper division of marital assets can be a technical matter; it often requires the help of financial experts.
2. Unfavorable child support agreements
Everyone wants their children’s needs met, but nobody wants to pay too much (or receive too little) child support. Sure, certain formulas dictate child support, but there are numerous other factors in the mix. This calls for proper legal advice and a good strategy.
3. Inequitable spousal support (alimony)
Spousal support can be negotiated in a variety of ways, with attention paid to incomes, education levels, ages, lifestyles and histories of the parties. It is a mistake to tackle this area without an experienced family law attorney you trust.
4. Problematic custody arrangements
Virtually all parents want good relationships with their kids. Both quality and quantity of parenting time are important. This is another negotiable, pivotal area that calls for wise legal guidance.
5. One-sided business set-ups
Family businesses and other holdings and interests can be divided in a myriad of ways. Success in this area often calls for expertise in business valuation and division, and it always calls for help. You don’t want to end up on the wrong side of a bad deal.
The single biggest success factor
If you are in the midst of a divorce, the stress and confusion can be overwhelming. There are so many elements to consider and so many decisions to be made. The biggest factor in your success may be the legal representation you choose.