Instead of having a court decide what custody arrangement is in the best interest of your children and/or how your assets should be divided, did you know that you can enter into a Marital Settlement Agreement?
With a Marital Settlement Agreement, the parties can put in any and all terms they want, even reach agreements that the court would not otherwise be able to order if the parties went to court such as particular schedules or certain items of importance.
Settling a case instead of having a judge make a decision, provides the parties with control and decreases the uncertainty that comes with going to court and allowing a third party (who has limited information and time) to make the decision for you.
Once signed by the parties, the settlement agreement should be interpreted in accordance with only what is in the agreement itself. A court may not add any contract conditions or terms. Attorneys and the court will look at the “four corners of the document,” not only the individual section, but the entire document itself. The court does have the discretion to consider parole evidence (meaning any documentation/information that a party may have relied on when entering into an agreement), but they do not have to. As such, it is extremely important that the agreement reached is as clear as it possibly can be.
Contact my office today to discuss your situation and find out if perhaps a Marital Settlement Agreement might work for you.
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An advocate you can trust to give your family law case the personal attention it deserves.