Many married couples in New Hampshire who are struggling to keep their relationships intact agree to set their differences aside during the holidays. Especially for those who have children, it often seems a logical choice to put relationship problems on a back burner so the kids can enjoy some special family time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s celebrations. Divorce data shows, however, that January is a busy month for family law courts because even some spouses who called truce for the holidays ultimately wind up moving ahead with divorce proceedings once the new year begins.
Finances are a primary concern for many parents in divorce
The holidays often put a financial crunch on parents. Navigating a divorce between January and March might cause additional financial distress. There are several things a concerned parent can do to avoid financial disaster in a divorce. The following list includes helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Do not rush the process to leave the past behind and move on in life; it is best to make careful, informed decisions, especially if there is going to be litigation.
- Make sure there is full disclosure on both sides regarding marital property valuations.
- Never ignore signs of a hidden asset problem.
- Do not hesitate to reach out for additional support rather than try to handle complex legal issues alone.
- Pay close attention to retirement benefits, 401(k) accounts and other financial issues.
In a perfect world, spouses would always be honest and cooperative during divorce proceedings to ensure that a fair settlement is achieved. Unfortunately, some spouses do some nasty things, such as trying to hide assets to keep an ex from getting what he or she is entitled to in property division proceedings.
Never hesitate to seek the court’s intervention if a legal problem arises
The court can hold a person in contempt for hiding assets in a divorce. A judge overseeing a child custody case, for instance, can also step in if a parent is violating a court order or trying to impede the other parent’s relationship with his or her children. Knowing where to seek additional support when needed is the key to being able to resolve complex divorce issues before they get too far out of hand.
