Did you know that 90 percent of people in the Western cultures marry at least once before they reach the age of 50? It’s easy to see why so many of these marriages end up with the spouses divorcing. However, things have changed in recent years and, thanks to millennials, the rate of divorce across the United States is going down.
Despite divorce rates dropping, they still happen and it’s important for individuals to understand this often complex area of law, as well as the various aspects involved in family law and how it impacts them. Understanding these different areas can help individuals understand exactly what to expect as they move through the process.
Divorce
This is often times one of the simpler parts of family law because there’s the potential for it to simply involve the two divorcing parties. Some situations involve larger families, but when it’s just the couple divorcing, matters of contention often revolve around the areas of support. In a divorce, there can be a contested split or an amiable split. It’s up to the parties to decide which works for them, but when the two parties are amiable, the process can go much smoother and both parties can help decide the outcome rather than leaving it in the hands of a family judge.
Child Custody and Support
When the matter of divorce involves children, things can become increasingly difficult. Parents will most likely argue the custody of the children. This may be split and the parents will have joint custody, or one parent may gain sole custody with the other party getting special time with the children. Typically, the custodial parent is also eligible to receive child support from the non-custodial parent to help cover expenses such as food, clothing, medical, schooling, and more. The amount of time spent with each parent, as well as their incomes, is often looked at when deciding how much support may be.
Alimony and Property Division
In many divorces, two areas of high contention often include alimony and property division. During this process, the two parties will argue regarding who receives what after the divorce is finalized. Property division is often based off of what assets are considered community property; for instance, whether one individual inherited money from a lost loved one, those assets belong to the one party, not to both parties.
Alimony is often decided to provide the receiving spouse a reasonable way of life to which they were accustomed. It’s based off of both parties income, as well as length of the marriage, earning income, and a number of other factors. Before you attempt to go through a divorce, speaking with a divorce lawyer Davenport IA can be a very helpful step.
You can receive advice regarding what steps to take. Also, you can receive guidance regarding how to protect your rights. Having a skilled legal advocate in your corner can help you navigate the process in the most favorable manner while keeping your best interests as a top priority.
