Tips On Saving Money (And Sanity) During A Divorce

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What may seem like a friendly dispute between former spouses can quickly escalate into an all-out war.

Casper, WY (PRWEB) June 24, 2014

Divorce does not carry the stigma that it once did, something for which we should all be thankful. But that doesn’t mean that a contentious dispute between spouses won’t prove costly.

People sometimes find that even a seemingly amicable divorce can carry hidden costs, with legal fees the least of a person’s worries. These surprise costs may not make themselves readily apparent until years later.

Jason Ochs of the Ochs Law Firm wants to lend his assistance to all those contemplating or currently going through a divorce. His Casper divorce lawyer team helps people cope with the burden of debt often created by a separation, and he wants individuals to understand a few things.

“We’re seeing a trend in the modern world toward so-called amicable divorces, exemplified by quickie separations and even jointly-held divorce parties, where a couple dances their last dance and gives their significant other back to their family,” said Mr. Ochs. “Unfortunately, what tends to happen later is that the two spouses find out that even the best intentions can give way to resentment, and their separation can prove costlier than they ever imagined. What may seem like a friendly dispute between former spouses can quickly escalate into an all-out war.”

To assist persons with limiting costs, Mr. Ochs and his Wyoming-based divorce team have compiled the following tips:

• Skip The Quickie Divorce- If a spouse seems overeager to file for divorce through a service offering nearly instant legal separation, this should be a cause for concern rather than relief. It’s possible that a spouse simply doesn’t want the other party to pry into their financial affairs.
• Don’t Party, Whether You’re 19 or 99- A divorce party may seem like a good idea, but depending on when it’s held, a spouse may end up splurging money that they’re going to need during an ensuing legal battle or appeal. Those thousands of dollars spent on a divorce party are better put toward securing your financial future.
• Speak With A Lawyer- Even if a divorce is truly, completely conflict-free, an individual ought to speak with an attorney prior to actually filing paperwork. A quick look from a professional is vital for ensuring that all information has been input properly and that you’re not missing out on essential financial details.
• Tenure Comes With Ten Years- If an individual has been married for nine and a half years, it may be in their best interest to wait until the decade mark has been reached. In doing, they would then qualify for their spouse’s Social Security benefits, which only kick in for a spouse if a marriage has lasted at least a decade.
• Trust No One- Many spouses have hidden assets they don’t want their husband or wife to know about. Take the time to go through the asset declaration process on both sides, and carefully review that information with a lawyer. If something doesn’t seem right, it could be indicative of creative accounting that you deserve to know about.
• Don’t Overvalue Things- There are certain items that will necessarily hold a special place in the hearts of you and your spouse. Unfortunately, this can lead to an overvaluation by one spouse that the other party takes advantage of. You may remember a kitchen table as the place you had your first romantic dinner, but it’s really not worth the value you’ve hoisted upon it. This can lead to an unequal division of assets when the ink has dried on the final agreement.
• Don’t Undervalue Things- On the opposite end of the spectrum, someone may neglect to put the proper high value on something. Make sure to get new valuations of any and all property and assets, and see to it that a financial advisor has reviewed all pertinent details.

Ochs Law is an award-winning practice recognized by such entities as the American Trial Lawyers Association, Super Lawyers, the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. With offices in Wyoming, California, and Colorado, the firm is able to offer representation to victims of personal injury accidents as well as assistance to persons going through divorce, filing class action lawsuits, defending against criminal accusations, and more. Interested parties can gain access to a free consultation service and a litany of litigation resources at the firm’s divorce help page.

The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisement or self-proclaimed expertise. The information provided herein should not be construed to be formal legal advice.

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