Divorce is not like any other breakup. Not only must you make the difficult emotional decision to divorce your spouse, but you also need to consider all of the practical implications. Even though no one likes to be divorced, it might be the best course of action for you and your spouse.
Despite how difficult and overwhelming it may feel to hunt for a new place to live, scrutinize your finances, and hire divorce lawyers, you must take these actions to move on.
Starting to work toward your goals is so much easier when you know exactly what lies ahead of you. Find out exactly what needs to be done before filing for divorce by reading on if you’re unsure of where to start.
Even though we sincerely hope you never need this advice, having it all in one location is useful.
Put your documents in order.
You can save money in a divorce if you are more efficient. One of the ways to do this is to have your documents in order. It will cost money and effort to get things organized if your attorney receives your paperwork in a disorganized state.
Start by getting all of the important documents you can locate and duplicate them all. To find out what you have, look through your previous tax returns, bank statements, check registers, investment statements, retirement account statements, employee handbooks, life insurance policies, mortgage documents, financial statements, credit card statements, Social Security statements, stock grants, car titles, and other documents.
You should learn as much as you can about your spouse’s business finances if they work for themselves. You also should make copies of any important financial data that is lying about the house or on your home computer.
Organize your finances
Getting a comprehensive image of your spouse and your financial situation is important. This is because equitable distribution of the assets and obligations of the marriage is one of the main objectives of the divorce procedure.
It’s critical to be aware of all of your financial obligations in advance of divorce settlement negotiations to ensure that you receive your fair share.
Find out what you possess first. Certain assets in a marriage are clear. It seems obvious that assets like your house, any bank accounts, and cars should be divided equally. Not-so-obvious assets could be things brought into the marriage, artwork, pension plans, or inheritances.
Decide what you owe next. Any money owed will be divided according to who is better able to pay the debt, regardless of whose name the debts are in.
Obtaining a copy of your credit report is the simplest way to ascertain your marital debt. That’s where all of your debts will be recorded.
Decide whether to stay or move out.
It is usually in your best interest to hold off on moving out of your house until after the divorce proceedings are concluded, unless you are in an abusive situation. There are a few reasons to stay with your spouse, even though you may feel ready to live apart.
First off, your interest in the house may decrease if you move out. A court may consider that when deciding how to divide up the property if you move out and your spouse keeps up with the mortgage payments throughout your divorce proceedings.
You might attempt to make partial mortgage payments if things get too difficult and you feel like you have to move. Just remember to keep track of all the money you pay toward the mortgage. Furthermore, the last thing you want to do is leave your family home if you have school-age children and you intend to be able to stay there until they graduate.
You might not be able to bargain to keep the house after you leave if your spouse’s salary is higher than yours and you want to ask them to pay the mortgage or a portion of it.
To put it plainly, leaving your house may hurt your situation. Don’t do anything without first talking to your lawyer about the matter; in most states, a judge will consider your lawyer’s move if they ask for interim custody of the marital residence while the divorce is proceeding. You and your lawyer can talk about this option.
You should take the necessary precautions to protect yourself if there is domestic abuse and you are unable to obtain an order of temporary possession.
If you believe you are in danger, leave the house. Talk about any history of domestic abuse with your lawyer; they could be able to get your husband evicted from your house lawfully.
Be cautious of your behavior.
You should use extreme caution in how you behave both before and during the divorce process. You should consider the implications of your activities because anything that can be interpreted as improper behavior could be used against you in court. If child custody is a factor in your case, this is crucial.
Until the divorce is finalized, think about hanging out with friends and family rather than starting a new relationship. Consider remaining near your house and tending to your bodily and mental needs.
Although going through a divorce is never going to be simple, everyone involved can benefit from preparations that make the difficult process go more smoothly.
Arm yourself with a good lawyer.
Although you are going through a divorce, you should know that settling with your spouse out of court is simpler and less expensive. If that isn’t an option, make sure your lawyer is qualified and prepared to take your case all the way to trial.
Essentially, you want family lawyers Fairfax VA who understand the importance of reaching a speedy settlement but who are also prepared to battle for you if necessary.
Some lawyers are too busy, and they might not have enough time to dedicate to your case. To ensure this isn’t the case with you, always double-check with your attorney before hiring them and ensure that they have enough time to give you the service you deserve.
