Often, in divorce situations, saving money becomes a pressing issue for couples looking to start lives apart. Connecticut residents are well-versed in the costs, both emotional and financial, of a divorce at any time in life. This is why so many people are considering DIY divorce plans that ostensibly save the cost of litigation. These are advertised as one day, do-it-yourself kits. However, a short-term gain does not always translate into a long-term one, as some individuals have come to realize.
Take the case of the woman in a neighboring state who entered into an amicable separation from her husband. They agreed to take the DIY route as they did not expect any element of their divorce to be contested from either side. However, a failure to properly file one piece of paperwork led the woman to realize that simply by waiting 10 days to file, she could be entitled to a portion of her ex-husband’s pension benefits.
This sort of miscalculation is endemic to a system as complicated as divorce law, which is beyond the scope of most people’s common knowledge. While DIY divorce looks good on paper, it has the potential to lead to missed opportunities like the ones above even in the most amicable of situations. A comprehensive understanding of the nuances of state divorce law might have mitigated the situation before it became an issue.
Ultimately, no one can tell an individual or a couple how to best navigate their divorce. However, Connecticut residents may benefit from researching all the available options before deciding on a route that may lead to more headaches down the line. An equitable divorce is the best foot forward into a new life for both individuals involved.
Source: The New York Times, “California Pioneers the Court-Aided One-Day Divorce”, Ann Carrns, June 7, 2014