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How Prior Legal Troubles Can Help You During a Divorce Case

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Divorce is not something you can ever plan for. Divorce is messy and a lot like buyer’s remorse. For example, when you make a purchase, if you are like 41% of consumers, you never think you will regret it, but about 30% of neutral buyers wind up regretting their purchase. The same is true of divorce. No one expects it, no one plans for it, yet it happens about 50% of the time.

Kids and Divorce

Kids change the landscape of a divorce. Kids get caught in the crosshairs of many of the components of divorce. Divorces can get ugly, especially when it comes to custody matters. The custodial parent will receive child support from the non-custodial parent for the kids. Custodial parents typically get to make most of the decisions for the kids.

There is a lot at stake when it comes to divorce, and the stakes are even higher when kids are involved. Using past legal trouble can help you during your divorce case.

Felony Charges and Divorce

While it may seem a little unfair to bring up a spouse’s former criminal history to get what you want out of a divorce, it can be one of the concrete ways to do it. There is a big difference between marching a bunch of character witnesses into the courtroom to state why your soon-to-be-ex should not get custody and providing documented proof that they are unfit.

Felony charges are reserved for the most serious crimes. A felony conviction can provide undisputed proof that the person you are divorcing has a history of making bad decisions and taking bad action. Depending on the type of felony (violent felonies are the most powerful), you may be able to glide through the divorce proceeding and get everything that you want out of it.

Domestic Violence Convictions

If your soon-to-be-ex has had domestic violence convictions in the past (they do not have to have involved you, the charges can be from an old relationship before you), they can be a powerful tool in the courtroom. If you are fighting for custody of the kids and want to limit contact with your ex, a domestic violence conviction can paint a clear picture for the court why you need to win this.

Alcohol Charges and Divorce

Many people going through a divorce do not realize how much a DUI can impact the divorce settlement. State laws are tough on DUI. For example, in Pennsylvania, two DUI convictions will get you jail time and about $2,500 in fines. Of course, this information is kept on the public record and speaks to someone’s character, which will affect the outcome of a divorce case, especially one with a custody problem.

Alcohol consumption is usually not a consideration in a divorce matter unless, of course, there is a crime associated with alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is widely accepted, which makes it difficult to use it in court to prove your case. About 32.52% of people between the age of 18 (which is not the legal drinking age) and 29 admit they have drinking hard liquor within the last three months.

Criminal Charges Can Both Help and Hinder

you must have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side, especially when kids’ custody issues may come into question. Once you have the right lawyer, you must be honest with them about your criminal history and that of your soon-to-be exes.

If anything in your past can come back to haunt you, your lawyer must know so they can get ahead of it.

Kelsey R.
Author: Kelsey R.

Metro Detroit Mommy writer Kelsey.