Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
Avoid These Five Divorce Mistakes
Divorce is not only stressful, it can also be costly. When you are ending your marriage, you will want to avoid some mistakes that could end up being very costly. Here are five mistakes to avoid when getting a divorce.
Leaving in Haste
The decision to end your marriage is often made over a long period of time. Sometimes, however, there is one specific incident or disagreement that seals your choice to get divorced. While it may feel good at the time to leave quickly, it could have a negative impact on your impending divorce. It is usually best to make plans to separate so you can properly determine how to pay for your ongoing financial needs during the divorce process. It is important to know that you should not just withdraw money from joint bank accounts until you and your spouse have an understanding as to the way you will utilize these funds.
Signing Documents Without Review
During the separation, you and your spouse will work together to distribute your assets equitably and come to an agreement on the division of property. Your spouse may present you with documents that outline the distribution of property or address other issues such as child custody. Do not simply sign any document without first reading it thoroughly. You will want to have your attorney review the document to ensure that it protects your interests and that you don’t sign away any rights.
Making Informal Agreements
If you want to make any type of agreement with your spouse, always put it in writing. A written agreement is a contract that is usually enforceable, while a verbal agreement may not always be valid. If you have a written agreement in place, you cannot make changes or amend it except with another written agreement. Do not take your spouse’s word about a particular matter since there is no way to prove that the conversation happened. If you have questions about an issue, discuss it with your attorney before you give an answer to your spouse.
Not Understanding Finances
It is common for one spouse to handle the majority of the finances for the couple. This can make it challenging if you separate and wish to divorce. You will need to quickly get up to speed on all of your financial matters, including your bank accounts, savings, investments, and IRAs, as well as your debts, such as mortgages and loans. North Carolina requires the equal distribution of marital assets, but you must know the details of your finances so you will not lose out on anything you deserve when you split up. If you do not know your finances, your spouse could improperly take more than their share or could hide assets.
Failing to Do Your Homework
When you decide to end your marriage, you will want to understand the laws that pertain to the various issues. Some of the important areas of concern involve your finances and your children. You will have a better experience when you know what to expect during the divorce process. For example, North Carolina requires you to live apart for a period of at least a year before you can get divorced.
While you do not have to be a lawyer to get divorced, it is beneficial to have an understanding of the process. When you know how the system works and what to expect, you will make the situation easier and less stressful. Contact us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation with our experienced legal team.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes two Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre- and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; adoption; and emancipation. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options, and then act to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_50/gs_50-20.html
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