An increasing number of couples opt for a stay-at-home parent as their family’s primary caregiver. These parents sacrifice their careers to devote their time and energy caring for their loved ones. As they are not typically the breadwinners, there is usually a financial dependency. This financial challenge can trap stay-at-home parents in unhappy marriages, as they fear they cannot afford the costs of a divorce. However, despite this fear, stay-at-home parents can safeguard their rights and even gain control over their future in several ways. If you are a stay-at-home parent looking to dissolve your marriage, it is in your best interest to retain the legal services of our adept Monmouth County Divorce & Separation Attorneys, who can help you reach a favorable divorce settlement. Please continue reading to learn how stay-at-home parents can best prepare for a divorce.
How can stay-at-home parents safeguard their rights during a divorce?
If you are a stay-at-home parent and divorce is imminent, you must schedule a consultation with a qualified attorney who can help you explore all available options for ending your marriage and guide you through the process. Often, stay-at-home parents are concerned that they cannot afford a divorce and may be tempted to accept an unfavorable divorce settlement to avoid a time-consuming and costly legal battle. However, fortunately, alternative divorce routes are available for stay-at-home parents that can help them save a significant amount of time and money. That said, it is vital to consider your options for ending your marriage carefully and thoroughly to ensure you choose the divorce route that best suits your specific circumstances.
To save time and money, consider opting for an uncontested divorce instead of a contested one. Contested divorces can be an expensive and time-consuming ordeal. With an uncontested divorce, you and your former spouse have agreed on all of the terms that will apply to the termination of your marriage, which usually results in a quicker resolution. If you cannot reach a mutual agreement with your ex, it may be beneficial to turn to divorce mediation. Mediation is an alternative to litigation and a cost-effective option that can be resolved quickly with the help of an impartial third-party mediator. During mediation, the mediator will assist you and your former spouse resolve your disputed issues and come to a mutually agreed-upon divorce settlement.
Furthermore, after you have chosen the best divorce route for your specific needs, you should gather all of your household financial information and other pertinent documents. Even though you may not be responsible for handling the bills, you should not be in the dark about your financial situation. If you are in the dark, your spouse could try to hide assets, resulting in an unfair property distribution. Additionally, you will want to make an inventory of all of your personal and family possessions. This will help you keep your separate property not subject to equitable distribution is not split with your spouse and ensure you receive a fair portion of your marital property.
If you are a stay-at-home parent, contact a trusted Monmouth County divorce & separation attorney from the legal team at Paone Zaleskii & Murphy today to discuss your legal options. Our firm is committed to helping our clients dissolve their marriages and take control of their futures.
