Understanding Legal Battles

Divorce is often a trying time for all those involved. The person you choose to present you has to have your trust. You should also feel comfortable disclosing certain aspects of your married life with them. To get a better understanding of what is relevant and not relevant to discuss, here are some tips.

Mistakes You've Made

In every marriage that goes sour, mistakes on made or incidents occur that led to the decision for divorce. If you are the party that made the mistake, it's important to tell your attorney. Some issues can affect the outcome of the case when they're brought up by the other party. If your lawyer knows these things up front, they can begin damage control early.

Don't be embarrassed to admit to your faults in the marriage, it's likely your attorney has heard the same or much worse, and keep in mind that they are bound by the attorney-client privilege. This means the secret remains between the two of you.

Sensitive Information

You may think some information is just too much for your attorney or too sensitive. However, some information is helpful and you can be awarded money as part of the divorce plan. Some of the more sensitive but important issues include:

• You've contracted an STD from your spouse
• Domestic abuse in the relationship
• There has suspected child abuse or neglect

These issues may cause embarrassment, so you may be reluctant to discuss it. But, keep in mind that this information is important for two reasons to ensure the settlement is fair. 

Money Issues

Many couples have issues or fights over money. If this is true of your marriage and you've hidden assets, it's best to be upfront about it. Hidden assets do not stay hidden as they often come out as opposing the opposing attorney has many tools at their disposal to find this type of information. If these assets are disclosed, it not only blindsides your attorney but can leave you with a host of troubles:

• Sanctions
• Perjury penalties
• Paying extra court costs or fees
• Further legal trouble

The bottom line is hiding assets can cost you more in the long run.

Once you've retained a lawyer, remember they are on your side, so be as forthcoming as possible to ensure the attorney can represent you to the best of their ability. Contact a local family law firm to learn more.