When You Should Sign a Divorce Settlement Agreement

Divorce is far from easy. With the stress, heartbreak, and emotional upheaval a divorce brings, it can be difficult to get through. While the settlement you come up with can provide clarity during this difficult time, signing it without making sure it can provide a stable future for you and your family is not in your best interests.

The aim of a divorce settlement is to set agreements you and your spouse agree on before it is finalized. This can include child support, parental responsibilities, spousal maintenance, and property division.

However, the worst thing you can do is to allow your emotions to overcome your judgment and sign the settlement before going through the paperwork. If you don’t like the terms your spouse puts forward, you do not have to agree to it – even if it comes with a deadline.

On the other hand, waiting too long will not be in your best interests either. If you take too long to sign your paperwork, negotiation may completely stop. While there is no statute of limitations for divorce settlements, but there is for appeals. Remember – the longer you take to come to a decision, the riskier it will be for you.

The best course of action in this case is to get an attorney to look over the proposed settlement to check if it meets your needs. If it is not in your best interests, the attorney can negotiate with your spouse’s attorney for a better agreement.

Even if you like the proposed settlement your spouse put forward, immediately signing it is not a good idea. It is vital you have the settlement looked over by an attorney. Do this no matter how fast you want the proceedings to go. A legal representative will be working to protect your interests, not what your spouse thinks or wants.

It is important to remember your spouse’s attorney does not represent you and will not care whether the agreement is fair for you. This includes ensuring whether the settlement gives you enough financial resources to support you post-divorce or not, and other aspects.

This can be a problem if you don’t have adequate qualifications to get a well-paying job to support yourself after the divorce. If you sign before ensuring you have enough money to get back on your feet, you are setting yourself up for disaster.

Whether you wish to get a divorce settlement modified or want an experienced family attorney to look one over before signing it, the attorneys at the Law Office of Fedor Kozlov P.C. will not disappoint. We specialize in individualized legal solutions pertaining to family conflict cases and can offer you advice for dispute resolution and negotiation services. This includes tough representation in and out of court to ensure you get a settlement you can live with and which can be in the best interest of your children if required. Get in touch with us for a consultation today in Schaumburg, Illinois.