Give Yourself Time To Make Decisions

The critical point that we want to stress with you is that major decisions must be made during your divorce process. With that said, adopt the mindset that the right decisions should be made now instead of relying on modifications later. There are things—which we will discuss here—that a modification won’t fix. When people wait until the last minute to make decisions about their divorce, several things may happen: 

1. They make an irreversible decision. 
2. They choose to do something that fits their current situation rather than one that aligns with their long-term interests. 
3. They make decisions that are not safeguarded by proper legal documents. 

To start, let’s discuss spousal maintenance. Unlike child support, alimony is more unpredictable. In Washington, marriages are categorized into short, mid-length, and long-term. Each one directly impacts the size of the award, particularly in terms of how long someone is paying it. Before an amount can be determined, the attorneys (and the court) will look at several things:

• The amount of child support 
• The division of substantial assets
• A spouse’s potential to return to work

There are situations when people rush a decision for spousal maintenance and sign an agreement. Then, sixty days later, one of the two divorcing people returns to work. That factor would have substantially influenced the amount being paid, but there is a significant issue: Spousal maintenance is non-modifiable. 

Critical Decisions Regarding Your Parenting Plan 

Imagine a person who is in a terrible place during their divorce. Despite how much they love their children, they recognize that they have something they need to resolve before being the parents their children deserve. In some instances, these people will choose to give their spouse legal custody, or they may opt for a less severe position by providing the other parent most of the time with their children. 

People may have conversations with their spouses before the decision is made. The mutually agreed-upon idea is that the other spouse will get most of the time to balance out the equation in a few years. Can this happen? Sure, but it must be documented in your agreement. If you didn’t take the time to craft the parenting plan that fits your current and future circumstances, then you have made a possibly irreversible decision because it wasn’t in your parenting plan. (These were points #1 and #3.) Side agreements don’t matter. Take the time to speak to a lawyer who will draft the agreements that protect you. This is why you should never rush a decision or wait too long to where you don’t have the necessary time. 

Take Action & Call ZafiroLaw

Working with an experienced family attorney fully protects your rights during your divorce. We will guide you through the complexities of spousal maintenance, parenting plans, and other critical decisions. Our goal is to help you understand the long-term implications of your choices. 

By learning your rights and clearly outlining them in the proper legal documents, you safeguard your future and avoid the pitfalls of rushed or uninformed decisions. Don’t leave your future to chance—consult an attorney who can help you navigate these critical decisions confidently and carefully. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.