Let's face it; marriage is not what it used to be. Back in the good 'ole days you fixed whatever was broken, unfortunately today we can't say this. What started out, as “till death do us part “is now” how much are you worth Let's face it, you loved and supported them as long as you were married and, now, they want what? Half, if not more, of your net worth. Let's not forget that not only do they want half of what you have spent a lifetime to build, they want to collect alimony. Wait...if you have children let's not forget the ultimate fight for custody and paternity. We'll start with the easy part of a divorce; Complex Property Division. Now, my last sentence is definitely an oxymoron because dividing property is far from easy when your spouse wants everything. Let's take pre-marital property out of the equation and focus on what you obtained while married. The beach house in Morocco, you can bet they are going to want that. What about the house in Martha's Vineyard, you know...for the months they aren't abroad. What about the home you raised your children in, they are probably going to want that also. What about your retirement, stocks, bonds, etc. You worked hard to save for your future. Yes, the future was for you both, but it's not nearly as expensive to support your lifestyle when you are married as it is when you are divorced. Could you maintain your current standard of living on only half, if not less, of what you have saved? Asset division is done, and you've lost half of what you own. Now, let's talk monthly maintenance, otherwise known as alimony. Alimony, just the name can make people cringe, well, depending on which side of the coin you end up on. How about writing your ex a check each month, each and every month for the rest of your life? What happens if your ex refuses to get married but lives with another, now you are supporting them both? What happens with the children? The more time they spend with your ex, the more money gets paid in child support. Let's be fair here, they are your children and all children deserve to be supported. If your ex wins more custody time with them you will pay more in child support. It is important that, as long as both parties can behave like adults, the children spend an equal amount of time with each parent. You don't want to be a "weekend" or even worse, an "every other weekend" parent for two reasons; your children deserve more time with you and the less time they spend with you, the more money you will pay each month in child support. Your ex now owns half your property, your savings, your retirement, your stocks, your bonds, etc. To make matters worse they receive a monthly alimony check from you and spend more time with your children than you do. Doesn't seem fair, does it? How much do you want to lose? Without the right representation on your side it could be much more than you anticipate. You can bet your spouse will hire an attorney and ask you to pay those attorney fees. Are you ready to give up everything you've worked hard for your entire life? When we get married it's all smiles and roses, we never think about "what if?" That is the "what if" my spouse leaves me (or I leave them)? This "what if" is whatPhoenix High Net Worth Divorce Attorneysthink about, specialize in and their goals are what they can do to protect you and your assets.
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