Every divorce is different but there are always steps you can take to ensure that you get the outcome that is best for your needs. To learn more about what you can reasonably expect with your own divorce, reach out to Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell at 909-482-1422 for a consultation. In the meantime, you can read on to learn five essential tips that could help you successfully negotiate your divorce settlement.
- Get a handle on your finances before beginning the negotiating process
- Understand parental rights and responsibilities
- Have a list of both needs and wants
- Have a list of your spouse’s needs and wants
- Be flexible
If your spouse more often pays the bills and has a better understanding of the finances than you do, then it is a good idea to get up to speed before you file for divorce. If you are not good with numbers and do not feel qualified to handle this yourself, talk to a financial advisor who can explain your finances and offer advice.
If you have children then you should ensure you are aware of what your rights and responsibilities are. For example, many fathers believe that the mother is most likely to automatically get custody. This is not true. In fact, it is illegal for a judge to consider the gender of the parent when deciding on custody. Fathers have just as much right as mothers to request full or joint custody.
You want to go into the negotiations with a solid game plan. If you do not have a clear idea of both what you need and what you want, then it is likely you will end up making decisions based on emotions rather than the facts. Consider your finances – do you need support to pay for your car loan and health insurance? Do you need the house but want the furniture? Knowing your needs and wants makes this process easier.
If you have a good idea of what your spouse is most likely to need and want, then you can negotiate accordingly. For example, if you know that they really want to keep the house then you could be in a strong negotiating position to request many things in exchange for that house.
If there are things you need then you may not be able to be flexible with them. For everything else, try to remain flexible. Do not become so rigid that you end up giving away too much for one thing that you later realize you did not need at all.
Work with an experienced attorney
Of course, the most important step you can take is to work with an experienced attorney. To talk to a qualified lawyer who will fight for your rights, reach out to Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell at 909-482-1422. We will work diligently to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
