Don’t Use Scorch and Burn in a Divorce

Divorce is an unhappy, dark, and ugly time for couples to go through (more often than not, at the least). True, some couples can amicably settle their differences and go through an uncontested divorce (which still has hurdles to overcome) and leave the negotiation table without any bad (or worse) feelings. That’s a Colorado Springs family law attorney’s dream — easy, no shouting, manipulation, or underhanded tactics.

Sometimes, and more often than you’d think, the soon-to-be-ex-spouses have such contempt, disdain, and outright hated for one another that they’ll do everything in their power to make sure the other gets nothing, or at least as little as humanly possible, as they believe the other is not worthy of a cent, nor an asset. This is called a scorch and burn approach, otherwise known as a scorched earth policy: leave nothing for the other to have a chance at rebuilding a life.

Usually, this is because one party feels they are victims who have suffered long enough and their spouse is the cause of their issues. Sadly, Colorado is a no fault state, so that means that no matter how much they may have hurt you in the past, it makes no bearing on the future of the divorce and asset division. All that needs to happen for a divorce in Colorado is for both parties to say the marriage isn’t working. That, in of itself, is a good thing in most cases. For those who feel slighted and jaded by their marriage, it can be seen as another form of oppression.

Consider for a moment the ramifications of trying to burn the bridge with gasoline between you and your spouse. It makes the proceedings incredibly difficult, it takes wildly longer than if you at least try to work together to reach an agreement, it costs exponentially more to drag things out in court for all parties, and it causes stress. If you have children, it can negatively impact them as they see their parents fighting more aggressively than they may have in the past; they may even feel put in the middle of everything.

Oftentimes, parents going through divorce and employing a scorched earth policy will try to get the child, or children, to take their side and shun the other parent. This destroys the family and their lives for years to come. In short, don’t do this. It’s manipulative and wrong.

Divorce isn’t fun and it’s difficult to see a family split, but it is a necessary procedure to move forward with life to ensure happiness later on for you and your children. Consulting a Colorado Springs family law attorney is the first step to getting on with your life and making a change for the better. Contact our offices if you are considering getting a divorce, or have been served divorce papers and need representation. We are here to help and will do everything we can to make the process as painless as possible, fair and equitable, and not burn every bridge and field between you.