Couples ending their marriage may not be able to avoid the emotional damage that a divorce can cause. However, divorcing couples in California and throughout the country may be able to avoid some or all of the financial issues that divorce can cause. Ideally, individuals will hire financial advisers to help them create a financial plan that takes into account changes to the tax code or the possibility of getting a raise at work.
A financial adviser will be able to help a person create an inventory of assets and liabilities that can be put into one document. He or she can then help an individual determine how much assets could be worth after taxes and other factors are taken into account. If retirement assets are going to be split in a divorce, they will likely need to be allocated per the terms of a qualified domestic relations order, or QDRO.
Having official documents means that an individual knows what to expect as a marriage comes to an end. While individuals can make agreements on their own, there is no way to guarantee that both parties will honor the terms of those arrangements. In addition to helping to create and execute a financial plan, an adviser can answer any questions a person might have about his or her finances after the divorce is final.
A person who is going through a divorce may want a team of advisers to help create a favorable final settlement. Hiring a family law attorney as part of a divorce team may make it easier to remain objective throughout the process of ending a marriage. Generally speaking, settlements can be reached more quickly when decisions are made based on facts as opposed to emotions in a divorce.