I was recently involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, since it was my first accident, I was scatter-brained and anxious. What I did not realize at the time was that the actions you take immediately after the accident can affect a personal injury case and the outcome of that case. I wanted to find a way to share my experiences and mistakes with other. Since the Internet is so popular, I figured this would be a great way to do so. While you likely aren't planning on being in an accident soon, if you are, hopefully you remember some of the tips I share on this website.
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Divorce Smartly: Two Things Every Person Should Do
Yvonne Russell
Divorce is a highly emotional process. However, your emotions shouldn't be leading the way. You have to be smart when it comes to divorce in order to protect everything you've worked for. A large part of being smart is starting the planning process early. As soon as you believe your union is headed towards divorce, there are a number of things you need to do to start protecting yourself.
Research Your Rights
Take some time to research what your rights are in order to know what type of entitlements you might be due, even after the divorce is final. There is a common belief that a divorce severs all ties, but the reality is that some benefits are extended to you long after the marriage has needed. Take a spouse of a military member, for example. If the spouse has been married for a period of at least 10 years, they may be entitled to a portion of their spouse's social security benefits once they start to receive them.
Additionally, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years with 10 years of overlapping military service, the non-military spouse may also be entitled to a portion of their spouse's retirement income and they may be able to continue their health insurance coverage. These payments can be of great benefit and knowing you are entitled to them beforehand can help ensure your rights aren't violated and help you better plan your financial future.
Don't Move Your Money
Particularly when a divorce isn't amicable, some people think it best to remove what they consider to be their share of their income from any joint accounts. You can do whatever you want with your personal account and you can even stop making deposits into joint account, but don't withdraw any funds. From a legal point of view, you don't get to decide what share of the money is yours. Instead, you should argue your claim in court and let the judge make the final decision.
If you remove any money and it's later discovered that you took more than your share, you can face financial penalty and you even run the risk of losing some of your assets. Even if your partner is moving around funds, make sure you are keeping your hands off. In the event you need to access this money for an emergency, it's best to consult with an attorney first to determine the best course of action, such as drafting a formal agreement with your spouse.
Make sure you are being smart with your divorce to protect your future. A divorce attorney can help you with accomplishing this goal.
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