Three Common Questions And Answers For Those Contemplating Divorce

Divorce can be among the most stressful issues that many people will face. This can be especially true for those that have a limited understanding about what they should expect during this legal procedure. If you have never been through a divorce, learning the answers to the following three questions will give you a better appreciation for what should be expected during these procedures.

What Will Be Involved With A Contested Divorce?

A contested divorce can be particularly stressful because the division of the assets from the marriage can be particularly divisive. While you might be afraid that a judge will essentially be deciding the distribution of the assets from the marriage, this is not actually the case as most court systems will require divorcing couples to go through mediation. During mediation, the two sides will have the opportunity to negotiate an amicable agreement on the distribution of the assets. If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement on the division of all of the assets, a judge may have to issue a ruling on any issues that were not resolved during mediation.

What Can Be Done If You Suspect Your Spouse Has Hidden Assets From The Marriage?

It is an unfortunate fact that your spouse may be attempting to hide assets from the divorce proceedings. This is often done in an attempt to avoid having to split the assets, but you should be aware that there are steps that can be taken to fight this threat. For example, your family lawyer will be able to retain the services of an experienced forensic accountant to review all of the financial records for any evidence of assets being hidden.

Can Child Support Payments Ever Be Altered?

If your marriage produced children, the parent that does not have full-time custody will likely need to make child support payments to the other parent. Unfortunately, a person's life circumstances can change for the worse, and this can cause the court-mandated child support payments to be unsustainable. In these instances, you will be able to have your attorney petition the courts to adjust these payments. This will require you submitting documents verifying that your income or debt obligations have undergone a significant change. While it may be possible for the other parent to contest a change of your child support obligations, your attorney will be able to provide guidance to ensure that you have the documents needed to fully prove that you are unable to meet your mandated child support payments. This may include documents showing that you have been fired or laid off from work.  


Share