For stay-at-home parents, divorce brings a unique set of challenges. Many individuals put their careers on hold to prioritize the needs of their families. Although this is a noble sacrifice, it can risk stay-at-home parents’ financial future in the event of a divorce. Stay-at-home parents must prepare themselves for the impending legal process to maximize their chances of reaching a favorable outcome. If you are a stay-at-home parent seeking a divorce, contact a competent Rockland County Divorce & Separation Attorney who can help you take control and protect your future. Please continue reading to learn how stay-at-home parents can protect their rights during the divorce process.
How can I protect my rights as a stay-at-home parent during a divorce in New York?
As a stay-at-home parent, it is imperative to carefully consider your options for dissolving your marriage. Divorces are highly costly and time-consuming. That said, worrying about footing the bill after litigation is understandable. This may cause you to consider accepting a lousy divorce settlement to quickly end the marriage as you cannot afford the legal fees. However, you can choose a more cost-effective divorce route, such as an uncontested divorce, collaborative divorce, or mediation. Choose your divorce route wisely according to your circumstances to protect yourself from reaching an unfavorable divorce settlement.
After considering your options for ending your marriage, you should gather your financial documents. It is crucial to clearly understand your household finances to ensure you can anticipate what you are entitled to receive during property distribution. These documents will also help your attorney determine what you may be entitled to pay or receive for spousal support and child support.
Moreover, while gathering pertinent documents, you should inventory your possessions. New York is an equitable distribution state. Any assets accumulated during the marriage will be split equitably between a divorcing couple. However, assets accrued outside of the union are not subject to equitable distribution. Therefore, having an inventory of your possessions will ensure your separate property is not split during the division of assets. However, there is no guarantee that you will receive a specific possession during property division. An inventory of items can help you remember to address them in court, increasing your chances of receiving them in your settlement.
What else should I consider?
Furthermore, it would be best if you begin planning your financial future. It would be best if you started considering your employment opportunities. In your divorce, you may be granted alimony that will provide you with financial support after the divorce. However, you don’t want to rely on your former spouse for financial support forever. This is an opportunity to start prioritizing your career again rather than support your spouse’s career growth.
If you are a stay-at-home parent seeking a divorce, contact a determined attorney from The Law Office of Peter L. Jameson, PLLC, to discuss your legal options.
