A divorce is traumatic for everyone involved and it can only get worse. If you are involved in a divorce, the emotional, mental, and physical damage it can do is immense but all those can pale against the financial losses it can create for you.
If you want to come out of a divorce with finances intact, here are some tips that should help you out:
Always Get Professional Help
For some people, divorce finances can be simple. That is only for those who don’t have many assets though. But if you own a business or one of you is financially dependent on the other, then complications can ensue. Dragging this out will only make the divorce more acrimonious so it is in your best interest to hey professional advice on how to deal with your financial issues.
Your lawyers are only one part of the equation. You might need to get accountants and others involved to ensure that everything is done properly.
Dealing With Joint Accounts and Shared Property
A major issue when it comes to divorce finances is what to do with the shared assets that you have with your partner. The best way to do so is to have a full accounting of all your assets. This covers everything from money in shared accounts to property that is under both of your names.
Depending on the state where you are getting a divorce, there may already be laws in place on how the division happens. But the best way to deal with it is an amicable agreement. If it has to go to court, then you will see even larger fees from your lawyers.
Debts
Besides the assets that you get from a marriage, you can also get the debts. You do not want to be responsible for your partner’s debts if possible. The best way to do this is to agree to pay off the debt during the divorce, using your shared assets. This gives you a clean slate.
Alimony and Child Support
There is also the matter of what happens after a divorce. If you are the primary breadwinner of a family, you will need to pay alimony and child support, especially if your partner receives custody. It could also end up the other way around if you don’t have a job and are earning a much lower income. The important thing here is to be fair about it.
Work with your lawyer to negotiate an amount that you can live with. If your situation changes, then you might need to contact an alimony or child support lawyer to do some negotiations for you. The important thing to remember though is that alimony and child support are essential parts of the divorce process. If you are the one obligated to pay them, don’t try to avoid them. If you are the recipient, then you need to ensure that it is a fair amount.
A divorce can be a really bad time for everyone involved. The best way to approach things is to get as much legal advice as possible and to try to minimize the damage. It may seem like the end of the world right now, but there is still life after divorce, so you’ll want to preserve as much of your finances as possible.
