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Are you ready to dive into the divorce process? Deciding to file for divorce can be one of the hardest decisions you ever make, but taking the first step to begin the process can be just as daunting. When you end a marriage, you are doing more than letting go of a relationship; you are dividing the life the two of you once shared. Between joint bank accounts, your family home, kids, and any other shared aspect of your lives, the task of preparing for divorce can seem impossible. However, the more you do before your divorce is underway, the easier things will be for you in the long run.
If you are ready to file for divorce, make sure you have all of your ducks in a row and try implementing these 5 tips.
1. Gather Your Documents
Divorce involves a great deal of paperwork, so you need to do your part to get your official documents in order. Go through your file folders and organize the important things. Find your tax records, property deeds, health records, insurance paperwork, birth certificates, marriage certificate, credit cards, bank accounts, auto loans, and other pertinent documents. Make copies of everything, preferably two or three. Keep one set of documents for yourself, and give one or two copies to trusted friends or relatives for safekeeping if you should lose yours.
2. Sort Through Your Finances
As you gather your important documents, take the time to pay particular attention to your finances. Look into your bank accounts, credit cards, loans and other debt, as well as your income. Plan out a budget for when the divorce begins—think about living expenses, whether or not you will remain in the family home or find a place to rent, and other crucial issues.
At this point, it would also be smart to open your own separate accounts that your spouse will not be able to access. Even if things are amicable between the two of you now, it is always smart to have your own separate accounts that your spouse cannot dip into or try to empty if the two of you should fight. Having your own account can help make starting fresh much easier, and it will make separating your own earnings that much simpler.
3. Avoid Social Media
Getting public about your divorce before you’ve even begun is simply not a good idea. Even once you have filed for divorce, you want to avoid posting anything online. Even though it may seem harmless, what you post on social media could be used against you later on in court, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and use discretion.
4. Consider Your Priorities
Nobody gets everything they want in a divorce, so you need to think about what is most important to you. Consider the things you can’t live without—maybe your family home, or weekdays with your children—and make a list. Also, think about what you can let go of and what you are willing to compromise on. This way, when you begin the legal process with your divorce lawyer, he or she will know how to more accurately represent your interests.
5. Find Emotional & Legal Support
Going through a divorce is hard—to question about it. Get ready for what you are about to go through and surround yourself with people who support you. Talk about what you’re feeling with friends, family members, and other loved ones who you trust. If you have children, use this time to plan out how you would like to tell them about your divorce and talk to family members about how they can support your kids as well. Also, be sure to find a legal support team you can rely on.
The stress of a divorce can be a challenge, but if you work with an experienced, compassionate divorce lawyer, it can make all the difference. Before you file for divorce, make sure you have the support and guidance of a legal team you trust.
Contact Casey, Simmons & Bryant, PLLCto speak with our Jackson divorce lawyers about your case.
