What Happens After a Marital Settlement Agreement?January 13, 2022
The goal of every divorce case is to reach an agreement with your spouse. A Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) is a legal contract that defines the terms of your divorce. An MSA must address a variety of issues, depending on the needs of your case. Now, it’s normal to be preoccupied with the settlement process as it’s what most people are concerned about. With that being said, what happens after a marital settlement agreement isn’t talked about enough.
Indeed, it’s important that you understand what happens so you can best navigate this experience. This is why we thought it would be useful to put together a brief discussion on this subject. If this is something that you want to learn more about, read on as we break down everything you need to know about what happens after a marital settlement agreement.
Related Post: Common Misconceptions on the Division of Marital Assets
What You Have to Understand about MSAs
You are advised to consult a divorce attorney in order to draft this agreement. Doing so will ensure that you have a qualified professional who is familiar with the intricacies of the law and can write an agreement that is legally binding.
Before you sign a marital settlement agreement, your attorney should carefully review it and make sure that everything is in order. If your spouse’s attorney draws up the document, you need to have your own attorney go over it with you to make sure everything was done correctly and is free of any mistakes. Even if it doesn’t seem like there is anything wrong, it is best to check with a lawyer.
What Happens If the Agreement Is Not Upheld?
What happens if I violate the terms of the agreement? If you do have a good relationship with your ex-spouse, then you might not have anything to worry about. However, if you and your ex-spouse don’t have a good relationship, you might pay for violating the initial agreement.
When either spouse breaks a the terms of a Marital Settlement Agreement, the court can step in to enforce the agreement. When the court becomes involved, not only can the terms be enforced, but the party who violated the agreement could be held responsible for the other party’s attorney fees and court costs. By fully understanding the terms of the contract before you sign it, you can follow its terms without getting into trouble.
Can the Agreement Be Changed?
To put it simply, yes the agreement can be changed even after everything is settled. After the divorce is finalized, you can modify the agreement to make things easier for both parties. However, you must understand that both parties need to agree to the new changes. In a world where life is unpredictable, it may be possible to go back and change things in order to make sure that all parties involved are satisfied with the agreement.
Just because you want to change an aspect of a legal contract does not mean you can do it. For changes to be made to the MSA, both parties must agree to the proposed changes. If you need help figuring out how to make changes in a contract, it is best to bring in an attorney.
Marital Settlements Don’t Have to Be Complicated
As you can see, marital settlements don’t have to be difficult. While both you and your ex-spouse may need some time to adjust, it will all work out in the end as long as you have a good settlement in place. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, we recommend working with a professional divorce lawyer that can help you get through the entire process.
Are you looking for divorce lawyers in Pennsylvania? We here at DaleyZucker have got you covered. We are committed to the clients we represent and to our community, providing sound and ethical counsel. For more information on what we can do for you, visit our website today!
