Facing an imminent divorce is a difficult situation that can change just about every aspect of your life. In addition to the concerns you have regarding your spouse and your children (if you have any), there are also technical considerations that you need to think about. We’ll help you with that side of the process by going over some steps to take when preparing for a divorce.
Figure Out What You Own
When you split from your spouse, the court will also divide your previously shared assets. You need to figure out what things are joint and what things are personal, or solely yours. Larger assets, such as shared residential properties that you bought as a couple, are not usually exclusive to one person, though they often do end up under the ownership of one person. However, a court will often give the other person other assets of comparable value to the home to ensure both sides come away with equitable amounts. With personal property, though, the court is less likely to force you to split or turn it over to your spouse. When you have documentation or can otherwise prove that something is solely yours, you should be able to keep it. That’s why you should spend time determining what you own separately.
Organize Your Finances
You might currently share bank and credit accounts, but this will soon need to change when you divorce your spouse. A step to take when preparing for a divorce, therefore, is to gather all documents related to your finances, from official records of your bank accounts to files regarding your savings, loans, and retirement plans. Close shared accounts and start new ones that are under your name only in preparation. In addition, it’s wise to start outlining a budget to follow after the divorce. Despite all the dramatic shifts, you want to be able to emerge fiscally stable when all is said and done.
Hire an Expert Lawyer
As you can see, divorce is complicated, and you’re probably going to want help making the multitudes of important decisions that you’ll face along the way. For this, you should hire an expert attorney with the knowledge to guide you well. There are lawyers you can go to who specialize in divorce and can provide aid in settling child custody cases. As you look at different professionals in your area, put together some questions to ask a family lawyer so you can effectively see whether they’re a good fit for you and your particular case. After hiring a lawyer, you can move forward with confidence that they’ll do all they can to protect your rights over the course of the divorce proceedings.
