When a marriage is on the rocks, many spouses want to do everything possible to try and make the relationship work. For some, this means entering into a period of separation, which is often meant to give each spouse the time and breathing room needed to gain clarity on what to do next. While some Texas marriages benefit from a separation, in many cases the couple still ends up filing for divorce. Unfortunately, women who remain separated for a long time can find that they are poorly positioned in the event of an eventual divorce.
One way that separation can bring harm is in the financial realm. Spouses who are no longer living within the same home or communicating on a regular basis can lose track of the family’s financial standing. This means that a wife can be left in the dark about her husband’s earnings, spending patterns or other financial matters. Debt can quickly accumulate, leaving the family finances in a sorry state if and when divorce becomes an issue.
Another concern regarding financial matters is the fact that a divorce settlement will focus on the financial standing of both spouses at the time of filing. This means that if the economy worsens or one’s spouse becomes unemployed, the results of the property division process will reflect the current financial setting, not that of when the separation began. This will affect child support and alimony payments, as well.
For women in Texas who are considering a separation versus a divorce, it is essential to fully understand the pros and cons before making a decision. While separating for a short period of time may be the best choice, in most cases a lengthy separation will result in an unfavorable divorce settlement in the long run. This is a choice that should be made with all of the potential consequences in mind, and in the spirit of reason over emotion.
Source: Forbes, Putting Off Divorce? Ten Ways Long-term Separations Can Do Women More Harm Than Good, Jeff Landers, Oct. 3, 2013
