Advanced Planning for Your Divorce Filing
The old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" can certainly serve as a worthwhile approach to anyone who may find themselves in the position of planning for the filing of a divorce.
Advanced planning is critical to success and can save you time and money in the long run.
Part of planning for a divorce is organizing your documentation of financial and/or parenting matters.
- Collect the past year's tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, a list of all financial accounts and their locations.
- Do you have a safe deposit box and when was the last time you actually went by inventory the contents? Get credit reports for you and your spouse. If you own or are purchasing your home, do you have the associated closing documents, know how much you owe on your home and the monthly mortgage payment?
- Prepare a monthly budget so you and the attorney you consult can speak plainly early on in the divorce process as to how much you will need to support your household factoring in that your spouse will be living in their own residence.
- Gather information concerning your children to document the relationship that each parent has with an underage child. Talk to teachers, child care providers, therapists, doctors and neighbors about their observations on your parenting skills and whether they may be willing to be a witness in your behalf should the need arise.
- The timing of the filing of your divorce can have a great impact on the length of your divorce and what strategy that you and your attorney may plan during litigation. Will your child graduate from high school soon? Are you employable or do you need some time and financial support from your spouse to seek job training or to complete your education while you are waiting to get your divorce?
There is no doubt that even the well planned for divorce will be stressful.
Seek legal advice early on when confronted with the unpleasant reality that divorce is on the horizon. Schedule a confidential consultation with a Board Certified Family Law Attorney. It will be worth the consultation fee and money well spent.
