7 June 2016
 Categories: Law, Blog

Getting a divorce can be a very difficult and emotional decision, especially when their are children involved. It is not a decision that should be made rashly, and it is best to take steps to prepare yourself before filing for divorce. If you're considering divorcing your spouse, take the following steps before filing a divorce petition:

Examine Your Finances

Most married couples share finances, and one of the main objectives of a divorce is to fairly divide assets as well as debt. It is in your best interest to have a clear understanding of your joint finances prior to filing for divorce. Gather important documents, such as bank statements, retirement account statements, tax returns, and any investments that you share, like stocks or bonds. If you and your spouse have a mortgage on a house together, gather mortgage documents and determine how much is still owed on the loan. In addition, also take into account mutual debt, such as credit card debt and auto loans.

Consult an Experienced Family Law Attorney

One of the best ways to ensure that your divorce proceeds as smoothly as possible is by hiring a family law attorney to represent you. Your attorney will work on your behalf to ensure that assets are equally divided, and issues such as who gets to continue living in the house are resolved.

A good family law attorney is also an extremely valuable resource to have when you and your spouse share children. Your attorney will be able assist in creating an agreeable custody and visitation schedule, and can also help settle important matters like child support. Some couples are able to settle their divorce out of court with the assistance of their attorneys, but if you have an acrimonious divorce your attorney will be able to present your case in a divorce trial.

Create a Post-Divorce Budget

Adjusting to a new financial situation can be one of the more difficult aspects of a divorce. Most newly divorced people find that they have less disposable income, which makes it very important to have a budget. Making a realistic post-divorce budget prior to filing for divorce will help you determine where you can afford to live, and how you will take care of your children. It is a good idea to try to create a budget without relying on any spousal support or child support that you expect to receive, as there is no guarantee that your ex-spouse will make those payments on time every month. Contact a business, such as the Ivy Law Group PLLC, for more information.