Divorces are incredibly common. In fact, it is estimated that over 50% of marriages in the United States will end in divorce. This is why it is important that if you get married you are prepared to protect yourself in the case that the marriage goes south. Here are a couple legal tips to help you sift through a divorce.
1. Talk to an Attorney Early on
Even if you are not fully ready to divorce your spouse, you should still talk to an attorney. Many people costly mistakes in the early stages of a divorce because they fail to educate themselves about the laws of divorce. For instance, you should do whatever you can to stay with the children and on your own property. This is because if you abandon the property and the children you might relinquish some of your rights.
An attorney can advise you on how you should separate from your spouse. They will tell you what to do with your finances and how you should start preparing for the divorce. The information that you get from them can help to simplify your divorce. This is why it is best to talk to the lawyer even before you are ready to divorce.
2. Try Resolving Some of It on Your Own
One of the best things you can do for your sanity and your wallet is to resolve as much of the divorce on your own. Many people think that they need to use a lawyer to mediate all of the division of assets. This is not the case. Instead, a lawyer is only needed if you are unable to agree on the terms of the divorce. However, if you and your spouse can sit down and decide how to divide everything it will work better for you and will save you money.
This especially relates to children and custody. You know your children and their needs, this is why you should make sure that you are doing everything that you can do leave the custody to the parents and not the court.
3. Start Separating Things Early on
If your marriage is on the rocks, you should start to separate your things. For instance, if you only have joint banking accounts, this would be the time to open your own account and start setting aside some funds to help you through the divorce. Separating things early on is one of the best ways to avoid contention and protect yourself.
By doing these three things you can help to simplify your divorce. For more information, contact First West Law LLP.
Share20 February 2015
