Three Reasons To Appeal A Divorce Decision

When a family court judge makes a ruling in your divorce case, you need to carefully follow it — but that doesn't mean that you necessarily agree with it. If you're extremely unhappy with a decision or if something new has come to light in the days that follow the decision, confer with your divorce attorney to discuss whether filing an appeal is appropriate. Appealing a divorce ruling can often change the situation dramatically, and any experienced legal professional will be able to let you know whether an appeal is warranted in your case. Here are some reasons that you may want to move forward with an appeal. 

You've Learned Of Your Spouse's Infidelity

Marital infidelity can often break up a marriage, but you might not always be aware that it's going on. In some cases, you'll never find out that your spouse was unfaithful to you. In other scenarios, you may learn about this behavior soon after your divorce is finalized. In many divorces, it can feel as though one party is getting punished. For example, if your spouse has filed against you and claimed that you had an affair, the judge may side more with your spouse. Filing an appeal based on this new knowledge could shift the ruling.

You've Uncovered Your Spouse's Money

During divorce discussions, both spouses must outline their financial situation. This is especially true if the couple shares children and thus needs to work out a child support system. People aren't always honest about their finances, however, and one spouse may hide his or her money from the other in order to get more in alimony and child support. If you've recently learned — perhaps by uncovering bank statements in your home — that your spouse has far more money than he or she was letting on, an appeal is a good decision.

You're Ready To Divulge Something Sensitive

Perhaps you were holding back on sharing an important detail during your divorce proceedings, but the finality of the judge's ruling has compelled you to not hold back any longer. For example, if you were abused several times during your marriage but didn't talk about it during your divorce case, this was an important detail that you overlooked. Talk to your divorce attorney about what you went through, documenting it as meticulously as possible, and then consider filing an appeal so that you can bring this sensitive information to light.