You’re facing the end of your marriage. After the initial emotions, one of the first questions on your mind is: How much will a divorce cost me? Because each case is unique, it’s hard to put a price tag on divorce. However, you may be surprised to find that in the end, what you pay is in your hands. There are dozens of factors in play, but ultimately it comes down to how well you and your spouse can work together.
It might be difficult to imagine putting your differences with your spouse aside. You’re both hurting emotionally, anxious for the future–and what about who’s right and wrong.
In a divorce, there are no winners, and trying to beat your spouse at his or her own game will only draw out the process and empty your wallet. If you’re interested in saving time, money and emotions, it’s in everyone’s best interest to work cooperatively.
For example, refusing to talk to your spouse is a surefire way to drive up court fees. Forcing all communication to go through lawyers rather than sitting down and hashing out a fair and equitable division of assets will hike up costs dramatically. Other actions that can measurably increase the cost of a divorce in Ohio are hiding or selling assets, using your children as pawns, seeking vengeance, emptying bank accounts or flaunting a new love interest.
The harshest exchanges can center around child custody: No one wants to give up time with his or her child. Even so, it’s equally important to make an effort to cooperate with custody as it is with assets. Unleashing a custody battle is not just costly, it can have a huge negative impact on your children. You’ll never regret saving your children the emotional scars of divorce.
Ohio courts regularly attempt to make an equitable division of assets. When it comes to child and spousal support, there are many factors that come into play. Where there is a significant amount of marital property and/or debt in the mix, your attorney may need to hire a certified divorce financial analyst or real estate appraiser. This is another reason it’s in your best interest to work together with your spouse. If you can agree on appropriation of marital assets beforehand, the process will unfold much faster and you won’t have to involve the courts.
No two divorces are the same. However, if you and your spouse are able to put your feelings of pain and vengeance aside, you’ll have a much better chance of coming out the other side with your emotions–and bank account–intact.
If you’re facing a divorce in Ohio or have more questions for Gus Dahlberg, Contact Babbitt & Dahlberg today for more information or to set up a consultation.
