We’ve all heard the horror stories of devastating divorces, or possibly witnessed our own family and friends go through them. However, the truth of the matter is that divorce does not have to be mean or messy, or even particularly time-consuming.
If you and your spouse are both committed to pursuing an amicable divorce, the good news is that you can have it. Most of the reasons that divorce gets messy stem from spouses’ unwillingness to remain calm and reasonable about the process, or allowing the emotional weight of the situation to overwhelm their interactions.
However, it is important to understand that divorce is a very serious legal process, and trying to cut corners has some risks. Many couples believe that the can simply get some forms off the internet and file for a divorce on their own. This is rarely a wise path, even if you worry that you can’t afford a “proper” divorce.
Get the help you need to move on
A much wiser approach that is still cost-effective is to enlist the guidance of an attorney to examine your paperwork and make sure that you and your spouse fully understand all of the issues at hand.
When you get divorced, you sever a legal relationship in much the same way you would if you were to dissolve a business. It is much easier the fewer assets and liabilities that you have, but you must still abide by the guidelines of the law.
The guidance of an attorney can help you and your spouse take stock of various issues that might arise in the course of your divorce while keeping costs low. Furthermore, the guidance of an attorney can help you keep the process professional and calm if issues arise that you or your spouse did not anticipate.
Often, couples mistakenly believe that getting divorced is as simple as deciding to divorce. The law, however, does not see it this way. Furthermore, many spouses do not know that a court must approve the terms of your divorce, so if one spouse makes out significantly better in the settlement than the other, a court may not approve the divorce.
An attorney can also help you walk through the process of separating out your assets and liabilities, especially when it comes to commingled accounts or lines of credit or mortgages that you both hold.
Don’t wait to make a fresh start
If you are ready to move on to a new season, don’t wait too long to speak to an attorney and get the wheels moving. Even in a best-case scenario, divorce in Washington takes at least 90 days, which can feel like an eternity.
With proper guidance from an experienced attorney, you and your spouse can achieve a quick, amicable, simple divorce, and keep both of your rights and privileges protected.
