I’m in the middle of my divorce in California, and it’s been quite a journey. I have kids, property, and even a pet involved. I’m curious if anyone out there has gone through a similar situation. What’s something you wish you had included in your divorce decree but completely forgot or didn’t realize you needed until after you signed it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
One thing I wish I had included was a plan for child support adjustments as the kids got older. I ended up paying for three kids instead of two for a while after my oldest turned 18. If I had planned ahead for the kids emancipating, it would have saved me a lot of money and hassle later on.
Definitely include specific timelines for submitting receipts for shared costs. It can help avoid misunderstandings down the line.
For custody arrangements, make sure to clearly define dates for school holidays instead of vague terms. We set a specific date and time for breaks, and it made everything easier.
If it’s allowed in your state, you might want to include the right to change back to your maiden name in the decree. Also, don’t forget to address any pensions or retirement accounts. You might be entitled to a share!
@Jagger
What if she has a pension or 401k?
Flynn said:
@Jagger
What if she has a pension or 401k?
You’re entitled to her pension from the date of marriage until your separation date. Generally, it’s 50% of what was contributed during the marriage.