Divorce can be a powerfully emotional event, but it is oftentimes also a major financial transaction, the outcome of which could dictate your financial wellbeing for years to come. That’s why it’s imperative that you know how to address every aspect of your divorce in a competent fashion that puts your interests at the forefront. That can be challenging to do, especially when you’re tangled in the web of divorce’s complexities.
If you feel overwhelmed, though, don’t worry. You’re certainly not alone. That’s why skilled law firms like ours stand ready to help. Although you might be stressed about a number of divorce issues, each of which is important, this week we wanted to look at selling the family home.
How to deal with the family home in an amicable fashion
When it comes time to dissolve your marriage, you may find yourself struggling to figure out what to do with the family home. Most couples decide to simply sell the residence and split the proceeds in a fair fashion, but that’s easier said than done, especially when emotions are running on high and there’s a lot of resentment amongst the parties. But there are steps that you can take to make selling the family home easier and more amicable. Here are some of them:
- Identify shared goals: Regardless of the reasons for your divorce, you and your spouse probably still share some of the same goals. When it comes to selling the family home, that might include selling it as quickly as possible and for as much money as possible. Try to work together to set a timeline that you can utilize to work toward to ensure that you dispose of the home in a timely fashion.
- Think about timing: Do you want to sell the home before or after divorce? Doing so beforehand can allow you and your spouse to negotiate the costs associated with getting the home ready for the market and closing the deal, but the matter may be streamlined if just one individual is left to handle it. Know what you want and articulate that to your spouse.
- You’ll have to spend money to make money: It’s routine nowadays to spend money on home improvements in order to make a home more attractable in the market. Work with your spouse to identify what your home needs in order to maximize it’s selling potential. After all, doing that leaves you in a better financial position post-divorce.
- Focus on your children: Moving can be hard for children, but it’s not the change of physical residence that’s difficult for them so much as it is losing their friends and the stability that they had previously. Some experts indicate that children struggle significantly when large socioeconomic gaps exist between their parents post-divorce, which are another reason why you should work during your divorce proceedings to secure an outcome that is fair.
- Recognize that your future is bright: It might not seem like it right now as you’re in the throes of divorce, but you have a future. Although the thought of selling your home may be frightening, we find that a lot of divorcing individuals actually find that doing so lifts an enormous burden from their shoulders. So take a deep breath and realize that whatever happens, you’re going to be okay.
Protect your interests throughout the divorce process
The divorce process can be fraught with nuances that can change the landscape of your financial picture post-divorce. That’s why you should be aware of these issues and make the compelling legal arguments that you need to protect your interests, which doesn’t mean that your divorce has to be highly contentious. If you want to learn more about how an experienced divorce attorney can assist in that regard and make your divorce a little less stressful, then research those firms that interest you most and consider reaching out to them to discuss the circumstances of your case.