When a couple decides to divorce, everything changes. Two people who had previously built their lives around each other will need to readjust to a life apart, with separate careers, separate finances and separate social lives.
Some of these changes are clearly advantageous in the eyes of the parties involved, hence the reasons for the split. On the other hand, the adjustment can be very difficult, and can involve some surprises.
For instance, some couples who split do not take the time to think through how their property will be divided, leading to drawn-out negotiations.
Or perhaps both parties have not considered how they will adapt to a lower income, and consequently might enter divorce proceedings more willingly than they otherwise would.
Among the various factors to take into account is that of children. It’s important for a divorcing couple with children not only to consider who will take care of the child, but how to keep their happiness and need for stability in mind.
While it may be that a child have all of their practical needs taken care of exclusively by one parent – the fact is that they will almost certainly miss the other parent a great deal. This applies to children of all ages, including teenagers, who cannot make the trip themselves to see both of their parents.
So in a custody agreement, except where domestic abuse is a factor, it is almost always worth considering sharing childcare.
Many couples also fail to properly consider how their possessions will be divided in their divorce. In some cases this is quite easy, as each party will have items that are definitely theirs – but with other possessions such as furniture, vehicles and pets, the question of who actually owns it is difficult. Items purchased on a joint account might not belong to either person outright, and disputes are likely to arise over gifts as well.
Finally, it will need to be decided who, if anyone, will keep the house the couple currently lives in. Perhaps one party will move out, but if neither party can afford to keep the marital home, or does not wish to do so, both may move out. As with all of these topics, the solution may be agreed upon quickly, but if not, an arrangement may need to be made through mediation or even the courts.
None of this is to discourage divorce – for many couples, it is the only they feel they can move on with their lives. But those couples can potentially save on time and Cardiff family solicitor fees if they are able to compromise on as much as possible, as early as possible.