Washington couples facing divorce already have a lot on their shoulders. When spouses cannot agree on the terms of their divorce, the stress can multiply. It can also have ill effects on the divorce, including prolonging it and adding extra court and lawyer expenses.
There are additional consequences when a spouse refuses to sign the necessary paperwork or disagrees about divorce parameters including marital property, child custody or other issues. The following are things that can happen when spouses cannot agree about their divorce.
Co-parenting and child support
Co-parenting schedules and child support go hand in hand, and disagreements can arise when one spouse doesn’t feel as if they are getting enough time with the children or they do not want to pay as much child support. If both parties cannot come to an agreement, mediation may be ordered at the expense of both parents.
Marital property and accounts
Marital property is all your joint assets and liabilities. This includes all purchases made after the marriage commenced and can include your home, vehicles, retirement accounts, credit card accounts and stocks. If you cannot agree, a hearing may be ordered to discuss your marital property before a judge.
No-fault divorce
Unfortunately, a no-fault divorce cannot be granted without both spouses agreeing upon financial responsibilities, child custody, child support, spousal support, division of marital property and court and counsel fees. Spouses may be left to the mercy of the court to determine the areas of disagreement.
Extra expenses and time
For a person who is ready to be divorced, the lack of agreement can be frustrating. It can also cause unwanted delays in divorce proceedings and unexpected expenses. A family law attorney may be of assistance in guiding you through such circumstances.
