After years of marriage, a divorce can be either a traumatic ordeal or a final push for freedom. Regardless of your perspective, it's important that you set down very specific goals regarding what you want out of the process, such as property, spousal and child support, or just your maiden name back. Some of these simply require filing the proper paperwork, while others will require a good deal of strategy and planning, so it's a good idea to start that planning process as early as possible, and learn what will be expected of you.

Financial Support and Property

Those quantifiable things, such as money, property and business ownership are often the most commonly sought-after during a divorce. This could include child support, alimony payments or some other form of monetary settlement. It can also involve property purchased jointly while you were married, or the rights to a business you started with your spouse.

Going after these things during a divorce will require that you prove a need, an entitlement or a substantial interest which exceeds that of your spouse, in the case of business ownership. The best example of this is monetary support, which is due if you can show that your spouse has a larger income, and had been providing you with meaningful support for the majority of your marriage. On the other hand, an entitlement would occur in the event that you became the primary custodial parent of a child who was the product of your marriage. In this case, states set a requirement on support, with the maximum varying from one state to the next.

The Importance of Providing Complete Details

When seeking reparations other than child support you must show that you have greater need, greater interest or that if not awarded your demands you would be directly harmed to a greater degree. This will require producing financial documents, tax records, and disclosure of any real estate owned. You'll stand the best chance if you are as direct and honest as possible during this process. Failing to disclose a financial account, regardless of its purpose, can hurt your case and strengthen that of your spouse.

Even if your goals are entirely equitable, failing to produce accurate records and complete accounting of your financial status can prolong your divorce proceedings, and may even result in criminal charges. Likewise, if you suspect your spouse may attempt to hide financial records, providing your own copies will help to counter any attempts dishonesty.

Obviously, the best way to make a divorce proceeding as painless as possible is to come to a mutual agreement without ever having to involve a court. When this isn't possible, working with a highly qualified divorce attorney (such as Taliana Buckley & Asa) and providing complete records will help you to come away with everything you're asking for.

Share