A divorce can often be a tiring and complicated process for a family. When embarking on this often long and arduous process, it is essential to consider best practices to take in order to maximize legal protections during the divorce process.
Here are some tips that can be taken in order to maintain a strong position during a divorce lawsuit:
- Close Joint Credit Card Accounts
Keep in mind that credit card agreements involving joint accounts are made with lenders before divorce agreements are made. That being said, if one spouse does not take responsibility for their portion of the debts, the other spouse is still financially liable. For this reason, it is wise to consider splitting up joint accounts before proceeding with divorce filings.
- Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution
With the costs of a typical divorce exceeding $15,000, it is no question that getting divorced is an expensive process. For couples with children, the average cost of a divorce is even higher: $19,200. Unfortunately, these costs usually escalate even further when cases spend extensive time in trial. For this reason, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is often a popular and money-saving choice.
Alternative dispute resolution is a less costly alternative to traditional divorce litigation, which involves using a third party mediator. ADR does not always involve attorneys, which ultimately helps couples to save money. This option allows couples to avoid leaving their fate to a judge in what often is a highly stressful process.
- Remain Cautious on Social Media
When proceeding with divorce litigation, it can be wise to consider the implications of your social media activity on your case. Anything that is found on your social media can be used in the courtroom. So, while you are in the midst of getting divorced, it may be wise to refrain from posting about a lavish lifestyle, and about anything else that can be used against you during trial.
- Prepare for Post-Divorce Finances
For most families, divorce can be a financially draining time period. With legal fees to pay and two households to support, many families have to cut back on previously lavish lifestyles and savings in order to finance the split. For this reason, it can be wise to seek the counsel of a financial advisor while going through a divorce, in order to plan for the future. For example, some questions to consider will be:
- Should we finance the divorce with invested assets or with credit?
- Should we use the equity in our home to fund the divorce?
These tips can certainly help to ease a divorce lawsuit, but it can still be a highly stressful time for you and your family. The experienced and compassionate Bergen County divorce attorneys at Aretsky Law Group, P.C., are dedicated to guiding you through the difficult process with as little anxiety as possible. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and your needs met.