Divorce has a reputation for being drawn-out and messy, but just a little forward planning can make the process so much smoother. While there are many things to think about before filing for divorce, focusing on the most important can save you time, money, and stress. Taking the following five actions will not only simplify your separation, but also make sure you’re better prepared for the next chapter of your life.
- Hire a Good Divorce Attorney
When you’ve decided that getting a divorce is the best course of action, the first step you need to take is to hire a good divorce attorney. Someone with professional legal experience with divorce will help you understand your rights, making the separation process much quicker and easier. They’ll even be able to present your case before a judge if it comes to it.
The Law Office of Gina Smalley are not only knowledgeable, but experienced. Get to know us by checking out our website or schedule a consultation through our website.
- Identify Your Personal Property
Create a list of things that are important for you to keep hold of. Deciding who gets what at the end of a relationship can be challenging, but being fair allows the divorce to go through smoothly. The best way to begin this process is to write a list of everything you own independently and everything you and your partner own together.
These items can be large things, like property, land, and vehicles, or smaller, sentimental things, like family photos or trinkets. Try to find relevant documentation that proves what you own to strengthen your case.
- Get Your Finances in Order
Personal property isn’t the only thing you’re going to have to divide up during divorce. You also need to share your financial assets and debts. Having a clear picture of how you and your partner stand financially can help you be better prepared for what comes after divorce. Start by gathering important financial documents like:
Decide how your marital assets will be divided and what you’re going to do about your outstanding debts.
- Apply for a Credit Card
Divorce won’t have a direct impact on your credit score, but your outstanding debts can. If you and your partner can’t come to an agreement about who is responsible for a certain debt, it could go unpaid, resulting in a negative impact on your credit score.
- W-2 forms
- Pay slips
- Bank statements
- Recent tax returns
- Credit card, mortgage/rent, car loan statements
- Investment and retirement accounts
- Credit reports
One way to avoid this potentially happening is to apply for a credit card before you file for divorce. This will boost your individual credit score and means you’ll always have cash available, should your joint account get frozen.
- Make Child Custody Plans
If you have children at home, you’ll need to decide who they’re going to live with after the divorce. Consider how amicably you can get on with your partner and whether joint custody may be an option. We are happy to provide additional guidance on support for this to help you make the right choice for your children.
It’s not the most pressing matter, but it’s also worth discussing where your children will spend big holidays, their birthdays, etc, at this time.
Be Prepared
Filing for divorce is never easy, but being prepared can go a long way to making the process more manageable. By working with an experienced divorce attorney, organizing your assets, securing your finances, and looking after your children, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother transition into the new phase of your life.
