A note on taking deals

If the attorneys in a divorce are doing their jobs, a lot of things should go smoothly. Child support follows a guideline set by each state. It is very easy to determine the amount that is due. The attorneys should tell their clients the amount and should either have one party start paying it on his or her own or should create an order and file it with the court. Litigation is not necessary for guideline amounts of child support.

If reasonable questions arise about some of the offsets or deductions that go into the child support calculation, the attorneys should work out a compromise. Again, litigation should not be necessary.

Sometimes, attorneys will make a good offer to save litigation costs and the other party refuses to take it, many times against the advice of his or her own attorney.

Why? Anger? Distrust of the other side? Some vague feeling that he or she simply should not have to pay any money to the other side because of fighting during the marriage?

Here’s the news: it doesn’t matter what the person’s feelings or reasons are. A bad choice is being made and if that person goes to court, they will end up paying the full amount and legal fees.

A lot of family law is a given. You hire an attorney to make sure you get credit for everything that you should get credit for, much like hiring a tax accountant to get you your deductions on your tax return. Very few people decide that they won’t pay their taxes because they are too high and that they will instead take their complaint to the federal district court. The few who have done this have lost every time and ended up paying fines and late fees.

Discuss offers from the other side like you would discuss tax planning or any other economic decision that you make in your life. Dispassionate financial planning is one of the keys to happiness in life.