Filing for divorce can be overwhelming for many reasons. Even if the split is amicable, there is an emotional upheaval for everyone involved. Logistically, there is plenty to figure out both personally and legally. When you are filing for divorce, it’s smart to be prepared and organized as you move through the process.
You will need a support team as you go through the divorce process. Your friends and family can fill many of the emotional support roles, but when it comes to the legal process, it is smart to protect yourself with an experienced family law attorney. While it’s possible to go through a divorce without legal help, it’s much less stressful to have guidance from someone who understands the process from a legal perspective. A good attorney understands your rights, the legal jargon, and what your responsibilities are, and this will help you move through the process smoothly, protecting yourself and your future.
Divorce is hard on kids, especially when they feel like they are forced to take sides. Although you are likely struggling yourself, make sure that you are present to emotionally support your kids. Let them know what you know and what you don’t. Your kids will likely have a lot of questions about their future and let them know that you will give them the answers when you have them. Most importantly, resist the urge to get your children “on your side”. A healthy divorce is one where the children can see their parents splitting cordially, not painfully.
You will need to provide plenty of information to both your attorney and the court when you are going through a divorce. You’ll need to provide your full legal name, birthdate, address, proof of residency, social security number, employer’s name, length of employment, salary, copies of your marriage certificate, and a full inventory of your personal property. Organize and provide all your legal documents that may need to be addressed, such as your wills, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and tax returns. Your inventory of personal property includes houses, vehicles, financial accounts, and debts. When filing for divorce, do not try to hide any assets. However, you can begin to separate and protect yourself. Protecting yourself and your information is important when going through the divorce process. You may want to consider changing your passwords, getting a new email address, and even getting a P.O. box for mail from your financial accounts and attorney. Get a copy of your credit report as well as current statements from all your financial accounts.
While it is possible to live together until the divorce is final, it’s often too difficult. Start looking for options for where you will both live. Financially, going from one household to two can be a big burden on top of the cost of divorce. If you are considering selling your home, talk to your attorney about the best time in the divorce process to do that. If you have kids and you are planning to live separately during the process, talk to your attorney about getting a temporary custody arrangement in order. Final child support and custody arrangements will be handled when your divorce is finalized, but the courts can help you with a temporary arrangement during the process.
Filing for divorce is painful no matter the reason. The end of a marriage is difficult to work through, and there are a lot of logistics to figure out along the way. When you are prepared for the process, you can go through it with as little stress as possible. Having the right support team can make all the difference. If you’re going through a divorce or will be filing for divorce and you’re looking for trusted advice from an experienced family law attorney, contact my office today.