Behavior
The way you and your ex behave during the divorce, as well as the behavior that led up to the divorce, can be a factor in the final settlement. If one party caused the divorce through particularly egregious acts, the court will usually take this into consideration. If one of the parties is not honest about their finances or does something like try to drive a wedge between children and the other parent, the court will frown on this, and it may be reflected in the final settlement.
Oklahoma City Divorce Lawyer
It’s important to work with a legal professional who has experience in the local family law courts and lots of experience representing divorcing people. A skilled lawyer will be able to help you argue for a settlement that’s in your best interests, negotiate on your behalf, represent you in court, and much more: including help you investigate, for example, whether your ex might be trying to hide assets. Find out more here about how to contact a local attorney.
Finances
A lot of the final settlement will be decided by your finances and the financial situation of your ex. The court will take a close look at incomes, retirement accounts, real estate and other non-liquid assets, businesses, inheritances, and investments, including crypto, gold, and anything else you might be invested in. The goal of the court is usually to even out the income of the two parties and provide an equitable split in the final settlement.
Children
If you have children, they will obviously be a big part of a final divorce settlement. The settlement will have to figure who the children live with, which can be either parent or both, whether there will be child support and how much it should be, and also any issues of restraining orders, if there is abuse or violence.
Social Media
Though we’re used to posting about everything that happens to us on our social media accounts, it’s important to avoid doing this during a divorce. Anything that you see on social media could potentially be used against you. A picture of you with a newly purchased item that the lawyers for your ex claim is “luxury,” could be used to argue against spousal support. Anything you say in frustration about your ex could be used to suggest that you’re talking this way in front of the children and trying to destroy the relationship with the other parent.
If you’re going through a divorce, the best way to make sure your final settlement is what you need it to be is to listen to your divorce lawyer’s advice!