Realizing that a divorce is the only option for allowing you to get out of a broken marriage can be a sobering moment. While this is not an experience that most people want to go through, it might be the best option for ensuring that you can start a new life. Sadly, there are many people that make the error of placing their faith in a couple of commonly believed misconceptions. Understanding the truth concerning the following two myths will allow you to make sound choices for your needs.
Myth: Alimony Is Not Used Anymore
You are likely aware of the fact that child support payments can be mandated by the courts, but you might not realize that you can be ordered to financially support your ex even if children were not produced by your marriage. This is done through the ordering of alimony payments, and while these payments are not as common as they once were, they can still be mandated by the courts.
These payments are ordered when one spouse would experience severe financial hardship as a result of the divorce. For example, these payments can be mandated when one spouse was jobless and needs support until they locate suitable employment. Before these payments will be ordered, you will be able to argue that this support is not needed. To make sure that you have the best chance of avoiding being mandated to make these payments, you should hire an attorney to represent you. In addition to helping you argue against making these payments, these professionals can also work to ensure the alimony requirement is set low enough for you to meet.
Myth: Your Spouse Can Dodge The Divorce By Refusing To Sign The Papers
Desperately trying to get the other spouse to sign divorce papers is a common plot in movies and television. Not surprisingly, there are many people that make the mistake of believing that they will not be able to get divorced unless the other partner agrees to sign the papers. Fortunately, this is not the case, and you will be able to continue the proceedings whether or not the other spouse agrees to sign the divorce forms or not.
Depending on where you live, handling a reluctant spouse can be handled a couple of ways. The easiest option is to simply file a no-fault divorce, but this is not always an option because many states do not have this option. For those living in states without no-fault divorce, if you are unable to get the spouse to sign, you will likely need to retain an attorney so that you can start the process of filing for a contested divorce.
When you are struggling to understand what to expect from a pending divorce, it is important to dispel many of the myths about these proceedings. These misconceptions can cause you to feel unnecessary stress and uncertainty during these proceedings. Understanding that your spouse will not have to sign the divorce papers and that alimony can be ordered by the courts will help you to better understand your rights during divorce proceedings. To learn more about divorce law, contact an attorney like Craig H. Lane, PC.
Share