When a divorcing couple in New York is ending their marriage on good terms, they are often under the misconception that they can finalize all the legal aspects of their divorce on their own. However, since most people are not familiar with the law surrounding marriage dissolution, they often end up neglecting critical details that could leave an amicable couple disputing after a divorce. The most common mistakes
are made with regards to alimony and child support, which could leave parties at a financial disadvantage for a long time post-divorce.
Child support in New York is calculated based on certain factors that make up the basic everyday expenses of children, not additional expenses such as extracurricular activities, medical insurance, tutoring, or daycare. This means that since these additional expenses are not automatically factored into the state-mandated guidelines and they may not be catered to in a divorce agreement. This can leave parents fighting over these costs every time they arise.
Alimony is another issue that is often misunderstood. First, there is no automatic entitlement to spousal support, meaning that the need must be demonstrated. This resource is also available for different time periods depending on a party’s financial circumstances. Second, people often fail to take into account future living expenses. For example, many divorcing couples don’t realize that they may be running two houses, one for each spouse, with one income post-divorce. Lack of financial planning can therefore end up devastating a person after divorce, as a person may not be able to support themselves and their children.
There are a number of family law issues that need to be addressed during the divorce process, such as alimony and child support. The outcome of these matters can completely redefine how one’s post-divorce life will look. Therefore, it might be beneficial to consult an experienced professional for guidance to ensure that one protects himself or herself as fully as possible throughout the divorce process.