Smart Ways to Protect Yourself Before Starting a Divorce

In most situations, a divorce is a big deal. The effects of the divorce can affect individuals for years to come. In some instances, the effects can last a lifetime. For this reason, if you are considering a divorce, you should always take steps to protect yourself from whatever might come.

Small steps can make a huge difference in a divorce. This may include setting up your own bank account that your spouse does not have access to. However, make sure the account is not funded by community assets or you may be forced to reimburse the community later on.

Additionally, you should take a detailed look at all of your financial statements for each and every account you hold individually and jointly with your spouse. This should include fluid accounts as well as debts. Also, evaluate how your spouse will react to the divorce. If he or she decides to splurge and buy everything in sight, you may be stuck with half the bill. Removing your name from any joint credit card accounts or other lines of credit can eliminate this risk.

Keeping meticulous records is one of the best safety nets during a divorce. Gather all records for all accounts – joint or individual - and make copies. The court will require this information, but it will give you and your attorney an easier way to determine your financial need and what you can reasonable ask for during the divorce.

Another great way to protect yourself is to hire a team of professionals with only your interests in mind. This includes a great divorce attorney and a certified public accountant. These people should be able to advise you of the financial ramifications of divorce and how to minimize your individual losses.  Get support from others in your life as well, as a divorce may be long and drawn out, depending on your individual situation.

Take the time to keep a detailed journal of your entire divorce experience. Log any and all important events that occur, especially instances of physical abuse and interactions with the kids. When writing about how your spouse interacts with the kids, write about how it affects them, because this is all the court will be interested in hearing. Instead of saying your husband is terrible because he was an hour late picking up the kids, include how the kids reacted and how they were affected. It will be much more effective.

Preparing for a divorce can take a long time and more advanced tactics in some situations. Visit this website to learn more about the subject from a divorce lawyer in San Diego.

The Importance of a Good Attorney

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5 Tips for Dividing Property in a Divorce

Dividing property during a divorce can be one of the most difficult parts of legally ending a marriage. You may be emotionally tied to your home, car, collectables, and other items, but your spouse may be equally invested as well. Consider the following five tips that future divorcees can use to help the process be as amicable as possible:

1. List All Belongings

Take the time to get together and list every single piece of property that you own jointly. This includes everything that you have purchased during the marriage. The list will help you value and divide things more easily.

2. Flip a Coin

Flipping a coin may sound scary, but it can be an effective method. The winner of the toss makes up two lists dividing all property. Then the other person decides which list they want to take and the list maker receives all the property on the other list.

3. Sell All Joint Property

This may not work for everyone, but holding a garage or yard sale and splitting the proceeds can be effective at reducing issues in this process.

4. Coin Flip for Value

Divorcees can also flip coins to decide who determines the value of specific items. Then the other spouse decides whether they want to claim the property as their own.

5. Bid

Houses, cars and businesses can be settled by bidding on items. Each party puts their bid in a sealed envelope. The person who bids most wins the item, and equalization payments are made on the amount.

These situations can be complicated and difficult to maneuver without an advocate fighting on your behalf. Visit this website to learn more about the subject from a property division attorney in San Diego.

The Hardship of Divorce

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Understanding the Rights of Grandparents

It is important to understand the California law if you want visitation with your grandchildren. A grandparent is allowed to ask the court for reasonable visitation with a grandchild. In order to give the grandparent reasonable visitation with the grandchild, the court has to determine two things.

1. Pre-Existing Relationship

The court must find that there was a pre-existing relationship between the grandchild and grandparent and that that relationship created a bond. The bond must be so strong that the court deems visitation to be in the very best interest of the grandchild.

2. Balance Between Grandparent and Parent

The court must balance the best interest of the child regarding visitation with the grandparent with the parental rights concerning making decisions about their child.

The grandparents are not allowed to file for visitation rights if the parents of the child are married. However, there are exceptions.

3. Exceptions that Allow Grandparents Visitation Filing Rights

The parents live separately.
The whereabouts of the parents are unknown.
One parent joins with the grandparent’s petition.
The child is not living with either of his parents.
A stepparent has adopted the child.

If a grandparent does have visitation through the courts and circumstances change making none of these exceptions apply, the parents can request the court to terminate the grandparent’s visitation. The court will then end the visitation rights of the grandparents. If you find yourself in this difficult circumstance, it would be advisable to find a good grandparents rights attorney in San Diego.

Resolving Disputes With an Ex-Spouse

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