Gibbons Law Firm: 5 Issues That May Complicate The Divorce Process

Even under the best circumstances, divorce is rarely easy. Ending a marriage requires the dissolution of both a personal and a legal arrangement, and emotions tend to run high during the process. In a perfect world, both spouses would cooperate as much as possible so as to not create unnecessary stress and strain on the situation. Unfortunately, things rarely progress in this idyllic fashion. This week, our family law firm in Lake Ozark MO is here to take a quick look at some of the factors that may complicate the divorce process.

1. Custody Disputes

This likely won't come as a surprise, but custody disputes are some of the most common complications to arise during divorce. If you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement on how custody and associated parental responsibilities should be divided, you may end up facing a long, combative struggle over custody rights.

2. Disparate Income

If one spouse earns substantially more than the other, disputes may arise over alimony or child support. The higher-earning spouse will likely (understandably) wish to keep monthly payments to a minimum so as to have more money to devote to new life situations that may present. On the other side of the equation, the lower-earning spouse may be concerned about maintaining the lifestyle they became accustomed to during marriage.

3. Extensive Assets

With so much at stake, high-asset divorces are often highly contested. If you or your spouse share substantial retirement accounts, high-dollar real estate, six- or seven-figure bank accounts, or other valuable assets, you may run into difficulties determining whom should receive what.

4. Extensive Liabilities

Just as owning valuable assets can pose a challenge during the divorce process, so can having expensive liabilities. If you and your spouse accumulated significant debt during your marriage (car loans, student loans, credit card debt, etc), you will have to determine how to divide these financial burdens.

5. Pregnancy

If a wife becomes pregnant at any point during the divorce proceedings, the process will instantly become much more complicated - and probably extended. The divorce cannot be completely finalized until the new child is born, because it is not until that time that the court can finalize custody or child support for the new baby. Additionally, it is worth noting that when a married woman gives birth to a baby (either during the marriage or within 300 days of her divorce), her husband is legally presumed to be the father. This is true even if she and her husband had been unofficially separated for several years. If either parent wishes to contest this automatic ruling, a paternity test will have to be ordered to officially designate whom the father is.

Gibbons Law Firm Is Here To Assist

While securing quality representation for your Lake of the Ozarks divorce is always wise, it becomes all the more crucial when complications arise. No matter the types of issues that present during your divorce, an experienced divorce attorney in Osage Beach MO will be able to help you approach the situation strategically.

If you would like more information about our family law services at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit our website at www.RGibbonsLawFirm.com or call 573-348-2211 to schedule your free consultation.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.