Tips to Be Sure You Get What You're Entitled to When Getting a Divorce

You and your spouse might have worked hard together to do things like purchase a home and accumulate marital assets. Now that you are getting a divorce, you might be worried about not getting the marital assets and money that you are entitled to. This is a valid thing to be concerned about, but you can help ensure that you get what you're entitled to during your divorce by following these tips.

Hire a Lawyer

Some people who try to handle their own divorces find that they don't get what they are entitled to in the divorce. You will probably find that it's well worth the cost to hire a good divorce lawyer. Not only can hiring a lawyer help you with getting what you're entitled to in your divorce, but it can make the whole process a lot easier for you, too.

Bring Your Pre-Nuptial Agreement

If you and your spouse signed a pre-nuptial agreement, it might provide some information about who will be entitled to what in the event that you and your spouse get a divorce. Make sure that you bring along your pre-nuptial agreement when meeting with your lawyer so they can look it over and so they can help ensure that it's followed throughout your divorce.

Bring Information About Your Marital Assets

Your lawyer is going to need to know as much as possible about your marital assets and your financial situation to help you. Bring along copies of bank statements or other relevant documents and write down a list of valuable items and property that might be owned by you and your spouse.

Ask About Spouse Maintenance and Child Support

In many divorces, spouse maintenance is not an option. However, if you have relied on your spouse's income to survive throughout your marriage — such as if you have been a stay-at-home parent — then you might be wondering how you are going to care for yourself after your divorce. Spouse maintenance might be an option, and it's definitely something that you should talk to your lawyer about.

Another thing that you may need to look into is child support. If you are going to be the sole or primary caretaker of you and your spouse's children after your divorce, for example, you might be entitled to child support to help cover the cost of supporting your children.

As you can see, there are a few things that you can do if you want to help ensure that you get what you are entitled to when getting a divorce. Follow the advice above — as well as any advice that you're given by your lawyer — and you shouldn't have to worry about walking away from your marriage without the assets that you're entitled to.

To learn more about divorce law, speak with a professional attorney in your area.

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