Life After Divorce – Financial and Custody Considerations With a Family Law Attorney

Divorce shatters the picture of your life you may have held before you married. This can be a painful experience that forces you to recreate a vision for your future.

It is essential to avoid negative thoughts and pessimistic emotions. These feelings will only hold you back and keep you from moving on.

Financial Considerations

Maryland divorce can be a significant financial event. Divorce significantly impacts a person’s financial situation, whether it is dividing up assets, retirement savings, or income. This is especially true in contested divorces, where one or both spouses fight hard over the property they own.

It’s common for married couples to share friends, and it’s not uncommon for those friends to lean toward one spouse or the other during the divorce process. In some cases, those friendships may end after the divorce is finalized.

This can create a rift in a social support system, making seeking new, healthy relationships even more important. In addition, it’s a good idea to work on any negative feelings, such as confusion, anger, or betrayal, that may have weighed you down during your marriage. This can help you move on after divorce more quickly.

Child Custody

Divorce is a traumatic event for couples, especially those with children. It can be challenging if the parents cannot agree on custody arrangements. Most states have laws governing this process, and courts typically focus on what would be in the child’s best interests. Generally, research has shown that children do better in environments where both parents participate in their upbringing and lives.

Ideally, parents will devise their workable custody arrangement and put it in writing. This is usually the least expensive and most efficient way to ensure a smooth custodial transition for their children.

Emotional support from friends and family can make a huge difference in your ability to cope with the ongoing stress of divorce. You may also benefit from professional counseling, which can help you overcome the negative feelings of anger, resentment, and grief. These emotions are normal, but they can prevent you from building a healthy future for yourself.

Child Support

Divorce is a life-altering experience, and many people are surprised to realize that they’re not the same person after their marriages end. It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions, including grief, guilt, anger, and relief.

While you’re adjusting to your new reality, it’s essential to focus on building healthy connections. This could be as simple as joining a group for weekly walks or coffee dates. You can also find meaning in your newfound independence by exploring a new hobby like painting or cooking.

Whether you’re a custodial or non-custodial parent, a state formula will determine your child’s support needs. Your attorney can help you deviate from the guidelines if circumstances warrant it. For example, if you’ve experienced a substantial change in income or living expenses, you may be able to convince the court to decrease your child support payments. Your attorney can explain the process and assist you in filing the appropriate paperwork.

Property Division

Most states follow a law known as equitable division, meaning that when you divorce, judges will consider how to divide your shared property fairly. Typically, this does not mean splitting everything in half, but it will consider what each spouse contributed to the marriage.

It is essential to make a complete list of your assets, including inheritances and gifts received before the marriage. If you blend these assets with marital money by depositing them in joint accounts or using them to pay bills, you could risk losing them in the divorce.

Rebuilding your life after a divorce can be a challenging experience, but it is possible to move on and start fresh. Seeking professional help, building a support network, and practicing self-care can all be beneficial during this time. You can also refocus your social circles and connect with new people who will validate your feelings rather than pass judgment or make you feel worse.

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