Separate Ways Guides Families Through the Transition of Divorce Towards a New Beginning
Divorce often marks the end of a shared dream. It is the dissolution of a union that may have once been filled with hope and the promise of lifelong companionship, which is tragic. It signifies the unraveling of a tapestry of shared experiences, memories, and often, the foundation of a family. Even in the most amicable circumstances, divorce is unfortunate because it represents the loss of a partnership meant to provide mutual support and happiness.
Often, divorce is charged with emotional turmoil because it involves not just the couple; it impacts their loved ones, especially their children. Since 2000, 33% of divorces in the United States involved custody battles. Regardless of how amicable a divorce may be, children face major changes, and new realities. And that can weigh heavily on them and their parents who love them.
Yet, divorce is often necessary for families to move forward in the best possible way. It can be a courageous step towards self-discovery and new adventures. It allows individuals to find happiness independently and grow from their experiences. Sometimes, it’s the healthiest choice for everyone involved. Divorce, while unfortunate, can pave the way for healing and a more fulfilling future.
“We Can’t Help with the Heartbreak, But We Can Help with the Headache.”
For that potentially fulfilling future, Separate Ways seeks to serve divorcing families. We can’t help with the heartbreak, but we can help with the headache of dealing with the logistics of divorce. We aim to enable each ex-spouse to exit the marriage and start the next chapter of their lives on the best possible financial footing.
Shared Assets Inventory & Valuation
To help divorcing couples take the first step to their new beginnings, Separate Ways gives them tools to generate a transparent and objective inventory report detailing the existence and value of their shared marital assets.
Step 1: Inventory Marital Assets
For the inventory, there are two methods of gathering evidence of ownership of shared items. The first and easiest method to inventory items is the proprietary Separate Ways app. Users can discreetly download the app and inventory as many assets as they like for free. It is simple to use. The data gathered by the app meets or exceeds the highest security standards for the United States.
Another method Separate Ways offers to inventory shared marital assets is turning the inspection over to one of our 3,000 professional inspectors nationwide. Our inspectors have worked as professional inspectors for an average of 10 years. Inspections are all they do. Because they perform other inspection types for our sister company, Spectrum Field Services, many have special certifications that enable them to handle sensitive information for Spectrum’s high-profile clients. Therefore, when you have a Separate Ways inspector in your home you can rest assured that he or she knows what they are doing and will treat you with respect and professionalism. Hiring a Separate Ways inspector adds an additional level of objectivity to the inventory process; our inspectors have nothing to gain or lose by photographing items. The third-party aspect of the in-person inventory helps the court know there is no bias about how an item is documented or described.
Step 2: Find the Fair Market Value for the Marital Assets
After the inventory is complete, Separate Ways uses the time, date, and location-verified photos of items and their descriptions to find their fair market value. Once that is completed, we organize the data in a clear and transparent report that we give to our client, their attorneys, and/or the court. Instead of couples accruing hundreds or thousands of dollars fighting over the proverbial “wagon wheel coffee table” they can now use their Separate Ways Shared Assets Report to negotiate toward a “fair and equitable” settlement.
Additional Services
Appraisals of High-Value Asset
In addition to the inventory and fair market value of shared marital property, Separate Ways also offers professional appraisals for specialty or high-value items. When clients are collectors of art, jewelry, or other high-value items, we tap the Separate Ways network of certified appraisers to evaluate and appraise these treasures.
Real Estate Market Value
Because 66% of divorces require former spouses to sell their marital homes, we offer a real estate valuation to our clients. The valuation gives them market comparables, recent sales of similar properties in their area, and an accurate estimate of their home.
Business Appraisals
It is not uncommon for spouses to own businesses together, even if one of the spouses is a “silent partner.” When divorce is unavoidable, business assets may also need to be divided. That means they first need to be evaluated, and Separate Ways does that, too.
Shared Financial Accounts
Many divorcing couples have shared non-tangible assets, such as retirement accounts or investments. We work with the couple’s financial advisors to include this data in the final Separate Ways Shared Assets Report.
Referrals to Attorneys & Other Service Providers
Additionally, Separate Ways works closely with local service providers that specialize in the transitions brought about by divorce. Our network includes attorneys, mediators, mental health professionals, life coaches, realtors, movers, mortgage lenders, and certified financial planners. All service providers are vetted by us and come with the highest recommendations.
Moving Forward
We wish we didn’t have to be in business. We hope divorce never happens. But we know it does, and is often messy. Separating lives that intertwine so dramatically is a painful legal process. Separatge Ways reduces the cost, stress, and time of a divorce by providing objective, reliable data that gets couples to fair settlements much more quickly. We help the family move on.
To learn how Separate Ways can empower you to reduce the stress of settling a divorce, visit goseparateways.com/get-started
