Options for Divorce Settlement

It's cheaper to settle a divorce than to go to trial. And it's much easier to settle the divorce if the parties can be civil during settlement proceedings. In most cases, the parties trust each other not to hide assets. But in some cases, one or both parties hide assets, fight over custody of the minor children and, in general, cause havoc because they refuse to cooperate.

Custody and Visitation

If you can agree on custody and visitation but do not trust one another, arrange to exchange the minor children in a public place. Choose a police station, a shopping center or even a trusted relative's home. Exchanging the children in a public place on designated days and times often relieves the stress of custody and visitation for the parents.

Assets and Liabilities

One party often has a significant retirement account that he would prefer not to divide. She can offset the retirement account by accepting additional liabilities, so that each party's bottom line is equal. For example, if the husband's retirement account is worth $100,000, but the only other asset is worth $50,000, he could take an extra $50,000 in liabilities to equalize the net worth of the parties.

Alimony

If the wife stays home to take care of the children, she needs alimony to help support herself until she can find a job. The parties can agree to not pay alimony in exchange for additional assets or, the husband could accept more liabilities instead of paying alimony. There are several types of alimony arrangements. Permanent periodic alimony lasts until the receiver remarries or dies. Periodic payments on long-term liabilities (mortgage, vehicle payments) can also be awarded to the person who does not keep the asset in place of alimony payments.