When it comes to property settlement between a separating couple, it is a mix-bag of emotions—bitter feelings, anger, frustration, etc. This kind of mindset, if it creeps into the heads of even one of the partners, may cause them to become uncooperative, thereby hindering the amicable settlement of property matters and other issues related to divorce or separation.
Property settlements may be deliberately delayed by any one of the partners who may refuse to communicate with you or your legal representative, reject all reasonable settlement offers, or refuse to submit relevant documents like bank statements, tax returns, employment contracts, valuations of properties owned, etc. The non-cooperative partner may also hide details of their assets and resort to emotional blackmailing and manipulation to divert the focus of the other partner.
Besides these methods, the ex-partner may also miss mortgage payments and accumulate debts that may stall the property settlement process. Missed mortgage payments delay the loan refinance process, while accumulating debt may cause the other ex-spouse to delay the property settlement process until the debt is paid off to avoid shared liability.
In the event of a divorce or separation, there comes the big task of a fair and equitable property settlement. The separating couple may either come to an agreement among themselves about how the property is going to be divided between them or take the matter to court for an order to be issued on property settlement. Property settlement agreements can be in the form of an informal agreement, a financial agreement, or a consent order issued by the court.
When the court intervenes in property settlement matters, it looks into your assets, debts, and their worth, the direct and indirect financial contributions made by each party to the relationship, and other factors such as the age of each party, health, financial resources, capacity to earn, and caring responsibilities. Whether you go to court for a property settlement or get this resolved between the two of you, appropriate legal guidance is imperative.
As already stated, either of the separating partners may have reasons for stalling the property settlement. It could be anger, bitterness, retaliation, or a plain refusal to move on from the broken relationship. This could also be when one partner is expecting a certain inheritance or the property is about to increase in value. An inheritance or an increase in the value of the property would cause the asset pool to grow and may prove to be beneficial to the said party. The partner who refuses to settle property matters may also do so because they aspire to maintain control over the entire property or are uncomfortable with legal procedures.
When your ex-partner is deliberately trying to stall property settlement proceedings, you should promptly communicate your stand on the matter to your former partner. A written communication should be sent to the non-cooperative partner, insisting that they disclose their assets and also mentioning the time limit for this disclosure.
The next step in this process would be mediation, and if all your attempts to amicably resolve the property settlement fail, you may go to court and apply for a property settlement.
At every step of the process of separation or divorce, you will face some challenges in dealing with the complicated tapestry of legal procedures and processes. Moreover, when dealing with a non-cooperative former partner, you will need extensive legal advice on how to handle them. Undoubtedly, an experienced family lawyer in Sydney can guide you in this matter and can help by assessing your situation, reviewing your documents, presenting you with the options that you have, and suggesting the best course of action.
An experienced lawyer can also inform you of your rights, given the situation that you are in, and negotiate with the other party to make sure your rights are upheld. Being fully informed will also help you make wise decisions.
If you are unable to arrive at an agreeable decision on property settlement issues, you may employ an independent party who can mediate to help resolve the issue quickly and more effectively. Another way to get property settlement delays resolved is to start the process early, that is before you even apply for a divorce or get separated.
Depending on the gravity of your situation, mediation or alternative methods of dispute resolution can help quicken the process and provide a balanced environment for making a reasonable decision outside the court. Furthermore, we can arrive at flexible and personalised outcomes for the benefit of all parties involved.
When it comes to property settlements, all documents must be submitted on time. Keeping valid documents and records for all your properties and assets helps in assessing the asset pool and dividing them fairly between the partners. Proper documentation also serves as recorded evidence of property ownership, and this helps in making effective property settlement decisions.
When a former partner or an ex-spouse deliberately delays property settlement, it is advisable to take alternative courses of action to solve the issue amicably. This calls for mediation or effective negotiation that will encourage cooperation and help the case progress into the next stage. If the negotiation works out well for all involved parties, the property settlement matter can be resolved quickly, and lengthy court proceedings can be avoided, therefore benefiting both parties.
As a final step, if no amount of mediation and negotiation attempts work out, you may approach the court. You may apply to the Family Court or the Federal Circuit Court of Australia for an order to be issued on your property settlement matter. An experienced family lawyer can help you navigate the complex processes smoothly.
When the court intervenes, the uncooperative partner is forced to abide by the legal processes involved in property settlement issues. The court issues an order that forces both parties to comply with the terms of the property settlement agreement and may also give directions in matters relating to the sale of assets, payment of funds, transfer of properties, etc. If either party refuses to comply, an Enforcement Order can be obtained from the court to make sure all parties comply.
Divorce or separation is a stage of life in which emotions rule. In such situations, when there is resistance and non-cooperation from any one of the partners, it leads to a lot of anxiety and frustration, not to mention the stress caused by financial implications. In this case, it is essential to keep your emotional stress levels in check so that you can approach the entire property settlement process with a pragmatic mindset.
You need to have a plan in place and have the big picture in mind. Every little detail is important, and a thorough understanding is a must. To stay above every little detail of your case, you also need to have the big picture in mind. While dealing with non-cooperative ex-partners, it helps to involve them in matters relating to the children. As the partner is involved in the children’s issues, they may also be encouraged to allow a smooth property settlement to go through. Overall, it is important to keep a calm mind and not let your emotions get the better of you while dealing with the legal aspects of your property settlement issues.
Property settlement issues are not free from financial implications, and a delay in them may cause some serious effects. A delay in property settlement may result in an increase in financial burden in the form of higher interest rates and fines. Then there are other risks like depreciation in the value of the property, an increase in the legal costs, uncertainty about the future of the property and its value, and a possible change in the percentage value of your share in the property. All these could result in grave financial losses for one or both partners involved.
At Maatouks, we have a team of family lawyers who can assist you with every aspect of property settlement issues. We can help you avoid issues that may crop up due to delays in property settlements and involve you effectively in mediation and negotiations. Our goal is to bring the best possible outcome in your favour, whatever the issue and complexity of your case.