A divorce is hard enough without dragging it out into court. If you are seeking a fair divorce settlement with your ex-spouse and want it to be as painless as possible, follow these steps to secure a fair divorce settlement without going to court.
Understand Your Legal Rights
In the initial stages of a divorce, it is important to do some of your own research to better understand your rights. This means looking into laws specific to your state regarding property division, child custody, spousal support, and other relevant topics pertaining to divorce.
Work with an Experienced Attorney
To further understand your rights while going through a divorce, it is important to contact a divorce lawyer early on. You can search for attorneys in Monroe, Michigan, or the surrounding area so that you have a local law office you can go to during the divorce process. Schedule an initial consultation with a divorce attorney where you can lay out your situation and they can clarify your rights and let you know about your obligations under your state’s laws.
Organize Your Finances
Financial issues are the root of a lot of arguments during divorce proceedings, so getting your finances organized before a complete separation will help the process go more smoothly. Compile financial documents like bank statements, tax returns, investment accounts, debts, and property valuations. Within all of your financials, determine which financial assets are shared within the marriage and which ones are separate. Once you know which ones are marital assets, you can begin the negotiations to divide these assets.
Set Goals and Priorities
When you sit down with your ex to start splitting up possessions, finances, and everything else, you should come up with a list of non-negotiables and priorities. One example of a non-negotiable can be wanting to protect your children’s best interests throughout the proceedings. This means that whatever decisions are made during the divorce process, the children will always be front of mind. It is important to set specific goals from the beginning so that you and your ex are on the same page and there are no unnecessary arguments due to miscommunication.
Consider Mediation
In addition to having an attorney present during negotiations, consider also bringing in a neutral mediator. Professional mediators are experienced in providing neutral ground in tense situations like divorce negotiations. Having a third party that is not emotionally invested in the process can be an invaluable asset during divorce settlements.
Engage in a Collaborative Divorce
A collaborative divorce means that the couple, along with their attorneys and other professionals like financial planners, therapists, and mediators, can negotiate their divorce without having to take it to court. If this sounds like a better idea than litigation, then you can sign a collaborative divorce agreement that states that you are committed to staying out of the courtroom and are willing to negotiate to finalize the divorce settlement.
By focusing on communication, seeking professional guidance, and staying flexible, you can achieve a divorce settlement without the stress of taking your divorce to court.