Money is a common source of stress for many New Jersey couples. Financial concerns are stressful, and over time, this stress can begin to take its toll on the relationship. This is the case for couples who have two very different ideas about money. Over time, it can cause damage to the relationship.
If you made the choice to move forward with divorce, chances are that money may have played a role in the breakdown of your marriage. Couples cite financial strain as one of the leading causes of divorce, and these financial struggles can carry over into the divorce process. It’s in your interests to learn about your rights and what you can do to fight for a fair division of all marital property.
Money: a sensitive matter
When a couple is in the early stages of a relationship, it’s easy to overlook signs that money could be a problem. They may not see the things that could indicate financial trouble, or they may be blind to the financial habits of the other person. Over time, however, these are things that can begin to take a toll. Some of the most common money problems that often lead to divorce include:
- The two spouses have two different philosophies about money. This leads to fights, resentment and stress in the relationship.
- One spouse has money habits hidden from the other spouse, such as gambling, excessive spending, compulsive buying and more.
- The couple did not take the time to prepare financially for marriage or go through financial premarital counseling.
- One spouse is accumulating a significant amount of credit card debt.
- The couple or one spouse spends too much, or the couple buys a house they really cannot afford.
There are many financial problems that can impact a relationship. The money issues that led to your choice to file for divorce are unique to your situation, and you will find it beneficial to pursue a financial settlement that suits your individual needs.
What is rightfully yours?
You want a fair property division settlement, but how can you know what should be yours? It’s easy to allow emotions to take over and want to fight for everything, but that’s likely not possible. Instead, it’s smart to take a deep breath and think about what will truly be best well into the future. If you are unsure of where to start, you will find great benefit in securing the counsel of an experienced legal advocate.