Getting a divorce is one of the most difficult, taxing and stressful periods that a couple may go through in life. From a financial and legal perspective, you literally have to cut in half the savings and retirements that you’ve both grown during the marriage, evaluate your living options, determine outstanding debts, and face a lot of financial uncertainty that awaits ahead.
One of the things I offer prospective clients in my complimentary half-hour consultation is a description of the divorce process. I explain the mandatory financial disclosures that must be exchanged between the parties, the scope of community property law, and the goal of reaching a settlement. Very quickly, the prospective client learns that litigation can rapidly escalate and become extremely expensive, but will likely, in the end be resolved by a settlement.