The marriage is over but the divorce is dragging on. Your frustrations have reached fever-pitch and your life is stuck because you and your spouse cannot see eye-to-eye on pretty much every issue. Clearly, your consternation could be justified. A prolonged divorce can be both emotionally and financially ruinous. And you do not have to endure this forever.
The process of dissolving a marriage in Louisiana is pretty straightforward: divorcing couples file a formal petition in court, a hearing is scheduled, child custody, property division, and alimony hearing a heard, a ruling is made, and everyone goes their separate ways. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Here are common bumps in the road that can prolong your divorce process.
Taking a hardline stand
An “I have to win by all means” mindset does not serve anyone well. Realistically, it is unlikely that everyone will get everything they want in the divorce. While preparing for divorce, be sure to pick your battles carefully, take a look at rational alternatives and look out for areas in which you will need to negotiate. The courtroom should never be an arena for blaming, demoralizing or under-cutting your soon-to-be-ex. Constant bickering, spousal attacks, and endless accusations never sit well with the court.
Making it all about the money
Truth is, very few people find their “pot of gold” upon divorce. If you reside in Louisiana, you need to understand that this is a community property state, meaning both parties are treated as co-owners of all marital property, and everything must be split on a 50-50 basis. During divorce, it is up to the court to determine what is fair and equitable based on certain variables. Focusing on “the good fight” over money will drag your divorce on and eventually chew up a huge chunk of the marital wealth.
So what do you do if you find yourself caught up in the chaos of unending divorce? First, you need to reassess your goals to determine their viability. Next, you need to be flexible and careful when choosing your battles. Finally, you need to team up with a professional who has your best interest at heart, who can offer sound counsel and help you navigate the stumbling blocks that are dragging your divorce on.