When you are going through a divorce what you may want more than anything is for it to just be over with. The divorce is painful and unfortunately the court process often takes longer than you hope it will. It is not uncommon for people to make snap decisions just to end the negotiations and the process and then later regret them. The decisions you make today about custody, alimony, child support, and property division are going to be a part of your life for years to come. It can be tempting to just sign your name on the first divorce settlement that is proposed in your case so that you can get some distance from your spouse and the turmoil of the situation. It is best to take some time before agreeing to anything.
- Always discuss all settlement proposals with your attorney. You need to understand the long-term consequences as well as what the alternatives are in your situation.
- Go home and think about any proposal for as long as you need to. Although you might feel pressured to sign something on the courtroom steps because your ex is threatening a trial, in reality it is better to live with something for a while before deciding about it. For example, plot out your life under the proposed custody plan and see what the coming months will look like.
- Imagine the settlement has gone through. Envision every aspect of your life under its terms. Is it something you can live with and deal with for years?
- While it is important that you listen to your attorney’s advice about whether something is a reasonable settlement, it is more important to listen to your own gut. If it isn’t something you feel comfortable with, you may end up regretting it.
DeTorres & DeGeorge handles divorce, alimony, and property settlement for the Bridgewater and Morristown areas of New Jersey. Call us now to schedule a consultation about your case.