On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in divorce on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
When couples in Missouri divorce, spouses often want to jump start the process as a way of getting on with their respective lives. While this is understandable, snap decisions can sometimes lead to adverse financial consequences for the spouse that makes them. In most cases, it is important to seek expert advice before making drastic changes in the way one lives.
When a couple decides to divorce, it is understandable that both parties will want to protect their interests during the legal process of ending a marriage. In addition, it is also understandable that both parties will want to take steps in planning for the future. Unfortunately, what may seem like a “common sense” action may be misinterpreted by the other spouse and, in some cases, the judge deciding the divorce case.
This means that while spouses should certainly gather financial documents and begin looking into finding a new place to live, experts agree that this is not the time to make significant withdrawals from accounts, shift investments or even actually move out of the home. Uncharacteristic financial behavior could be attributed to hiding funds and leaving the home could be portrayed as abandonment.
One way that an individual may be able to protect him or herself during a divorce is by speaking with an experienced family law attorney. A lawyer may be able to review the client’s situation and make recommendations regarding issues such as moving out, withdrawing money from accounts or taking personal property from the family home. This advice may be able to help reduce tensions between spouses and facilitate an equitable and quick property division and divorce.
