Getting a Divorce: Here is what you need to Know

You may have heard about divorce one too many times or even witnessed people close to you end their marriage. However, this does not prepare you for your own divorce. As family lawyers like to put it, no divorce is similar to the other. That’s why you cannot assume that you know much about the divorce process because a friend or someone close to you went through it. That’s why working with an experienced lawyer, like those from the Law Office of Amanda J. Cook, PLLC is a great way to ensure you get the best possible outcome from your divorce.

Here are a few things you need to know when you are planning to file for a divorce:

A divorce comes with all kinds of emotions

When going through a divorce, you will likely feel sad, anxious, fear, loss, anger and a range of other emotions. This is irrespective of whether you were the one who initiated the split or not. Statistics show that divorce is one of the most stressful life events, coming only second after the death of a loved one. From where you stand, it would be tough to think straight or make sober decisions. In fact, very many people end up regretting their wrong choices that was driven by anger. A lawyer can be your sound mind and help you navigate through the process successfully.

It’s a fair game

Many people assume that their partners cannot claim assets that are under their names during a divorce – but that’s never the case. Almost everything can be divided between couples, including property assets and debts. And you shouldn’t try to hide assets because if the court discovers them, you will lose your credibility, and in the worst case, face stiff penalties like monetary sanctions.

The family court isn’t a battleground

Understandably, you are going through a lot. However, you don’t want to use the courtroom as your battlefield. In as much as you don’t like the idea of paying for child support, just pay for the benefit of your children. It could be that your ex cheated on you, or they were violent and so on. You don’t have to complicate the process trying to make them pay for their actions. Leave it to karma; it always catches up.

Be reasonable

Remember that other than the emotional aspect, there is also the financial part of the marriage. If you don’t want your case to land in court, you will have to put your emotions aside and negotiate or mediate a settlement. If you have a lawyer by your side, they will usually take care of this process for you. They will even act as the point of contact between you and your ex or their lawyer.

Buy big items before filing

If you were considering buying something, now is the right time to do so. You won’t be able to liquidate assets or make a big purchase after filing.

Know the value of property

If you aren’t aware of the asset values, it can be hard to get a fair share out of them. So, if you have a business or property with your spouse, you may want to do your homework ahead of time to know the value.