People typically don’t enter a marriage and expect to end up filing divorce papers years later. When this happens as a result of irreconcilable differences, an individual may feel as though he or she has lost control of his or her life and future. However, understanding how to best plan for the future by making wise decisions regarding asset and property division during a California divorce proceeding can help a person to regain a sense of control.
A divorcing individual may wish to write down a list of his or her objectives during the divorce proceeding. The list can address topics such as whether one parent will have primary custody of the couple’s shared children or whether they will have joint custody. In addition, the individual may focus on whether it would be advantageous to sell the marital home as well as what spousal support may be needed in the future.
It also can help to produce a list of all of one’s individual accounts and accounts shared with the spouse. These include retirement accounts. If a prenuptial agreement exists, the couple can revisit it in order to discern what impact it may have on negotiations during the divorce proceedings.
Developing a list can make a person’s financial and child custody options appear more clear and organized, and the individual may feel more in control of what will transpire during the divorce proceeding. If the couple can work together to negotiate a settlement, they may boost their chances of experiencing a fair and agreeable settlement. If not, a judge in California will typically be asked to get involved and decide the final outcome for them.
Source: The Charlotte Observer, Resolved to divorce?, Nicole H. Sodoma, Jan. 12, 2014