Custody and Divorce Myths
This is the first of a multi-part of a series where we will address some common myths about divorce and custody. By no means, are these all of them. Stay tuned with our blog for more of them!
Divorce is Something to Be Ashamed Of
-FALSE DIVORCE MYTHS-
Today, approximately 40% of marriages end in divorce, and therefore, divorce is incredibly normal. Some people choose to stay in unhappy marriages because they’re afraid of a social stigma that truly seldom exists, because divorce is so common. At Alexander & Associates, we want to reassure you that getting a divorce is not a reflection of your character, your value, and it does not mean that future relationships are doomed to fail. Often, divorce occurs because two people are unhappy together, and there’s often nothing more to it.
I can Keep My Property if I Hide it
-FALSE DIVORCE MYTHS-
Not only is this false, it is also just a bad idea
During the divorce process, both spouses are required to complete a financial affidavit- this is a form that states your current financial circumstances. The financial affidavit covers income, assets, debts, expenses and more. Because the affidavit is a sworn statement, being dishonest about your financial circumstances and legally be considered perjury. If and when the court uncovers the truth about your assets, the court may issue significant penalties to you, even if they do not charge you with perjury. These penalties can include, but are not limited to, being forced to pay for your ex’s lawyer fees, having the hidden assets issued to the other spouse, or worse.
A good lawyer can do the research needed to find the gaps in the truth that are associated with lying on your financial affidavit.
If you think your ex might be lying about their assets, it is time to give us a call.
Moms always Win Custody
-FALSE DIVORCE MYTHS-
This is a common misconception, that stems from history. There was a point in time where women were much less likely to work, and it was believed that her life was more oriented around child care and child-rearing, and like so, men often took a much less active role in the lives of their children. In modern times, this simply isn’t the case, and courts therefore look at many factors in determining custody, including who is more involved in their children’s lives, and many things mentioned in our previous post: How is Physical Custody Determined.
There are many misconceptions about divorce, and this is just the beginning of them. If you think a divorce could be coming your way, we strongly recommend that you call us before your ex does. Stay tuned for more information (and the debunking of misinformation) and divorced, and custody!
