In a divorce, reaching a settlement agreement can be a long process. Some spouses believe that they’re able to work out a divorce settlement that includes division of assets, child and spousal support, custody, and all other parenting decisions. But there are 5 questions that Gathings Law Senior Partner, Honora Gathings, suggests you ask yourself before you make a decision:
1. Are you or can you be civil and respectful with one another to discuss difficult decisions?
Difficult decisions could arise during the settlement process and in the future, especially with children involved. It’s important that your agreement reflect your ability to work through issues together.
2. Is there a dominant party who may override the wishes of the other party?
The agreement may detail someone to have the official final say on decisions. This could be you, but it could also be someone else. It’s important that you understand if the final decision maker is not you, that your wishes can and sometimes will be overridden. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable with that.
3. How familiar are you with your finances or finances in general?
How well do you know your finances? How familiar are you with monitoring finances in general? This could be important when calculating a monetary agreement for child or spousal support. You may need someone else to verify the sufficient amount for you before agreeing to anything.
4. Do you know family law in your state?
Each state has different regulations when it comes to family law. You should familiarize yourself with your state’s regulations for family law or consult someone who is already familiar with it before agreeing to anything.
5. How much can you trust your soon-to-be ex-spouse?
Lack of trust can be a big issue when reaching a settlement agreement. It’s important that you take your level of trust with your spouse into account. Repercussions should be in place in order to hold your spouse accountable.
If any of these questions cause you reason to pause, then you should seek the advice of a lawyer. Call Gathings Law, we have decades of experience with family law and are here to help you.
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