Divorce isn’t something anyone ever expects to happen to them, but it can happen, and when it does, it’s important to have a solid plan of action. You should call a divorce lawyer phoenix (or wherever you are based) for legal advice, gather your documents, and contact family, friends, and your ex’s attorney. If you or your spouse have kids, it’s important that you talk with them about how you’re feeling, as they may pick up on the fact that something may be wrong. There are many decisions to be made, including custody, how to divide property, child support, and spousal support. When you’re facing divorce, it’s important to get the information you need to make informed decisions.
Divorce is never easy. Even the most amicable parting of ways is painful, and the emotional toll can be profound; but it doesn’t have to be. To begin, you will need to gather all the necessary documents. For instance, you will need to Get copy of decree absolute and collect financial documents such as bank statements, tax returns, and other documents that will be required for the distribution of assets and debts. This is only the beginning, and there are many more things to consider after the divorce process is complete. This list will help you understand the different steps you need to take.
Put your kids at the top of your agenda
When a parent is considering divorce, their children are usually one of the most pressing concerns. The sudden absence and “drift apart” of one parent is hard enough on a child, but the effects can be significant when that parent doesn’t share custody with the non-custodial parent. When a parent is absent from their children’s lives, children may act out and become more rebellious, turn to drugs or alcohol, or even run away from home.
Consult an attorney
A divorce is a stressful time for everyone, no matter how amicable or contentious the negotiations have been. And if you’re thinking of ending your marriage, the sooner you talk to an attorney, the better. A knowledgeable family law practitioner (such as this Chicago family law attorney) can guide you through the process of divorce, enlighten you about your legal rights, and find out what options are open to you and where you may have trouble.
Inventory family and household possessions
When you’re preparing for a divorce splitting assets is something that you need to think about. Before the proceedings start, you need to make sure that you have everything in order. This list of things to do if divorce is imminent will discuss some of the important things to take care of. Inventory your possessions and family heirlooms. You should go through each room in your home, office, garage, attic, basement, and any storage areas within your home. This process of going through everything and listing everything you possess will help you keep track of what you own. It will also help you make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.
Know the household budget and expenses
Divorce makes you stop and take stock of your life. The household budget and expenses are one of the things to do if divorce is imminent. You need to have a good idea of where your money goes and where your money goes, especially if your household income is split. One of the most challenging aspects of divorce is splitting the household budget. Splitting up household expenses can be complicated. Each former spouse’s income must be determined. Then each spouse must determine their monthly expenses. The final step is to divide the expenses between you and your spouse.
Determine how to manage the family debt
When you have children, finances become a top consideration for planning a family’s future. Unfortunately, sometimes, when finances are mismanaged, it’s common that a divorce becomes a necessary part of managing the problem. If divorce is on the horizon or you’re already divorced, managing familial debt is one task that needs to be addressed, as prioritizing debt repayment will dictate how you move forward with your new life.
Find out how much the spouse earns
Do you know how much your spouse makes? Most people don’t, but it’s one of the critical pieces of information to have if you’re planning to get a divorce. If your spouse doesn’t know how much you make, you’ll need to ask them. But what if you find out your spouse is earning more money than you? If you’ve been married to someone for a long time, you might assume they’re earning the same amount as when they were married. But that isn’t the case. Even if you’re in the same industry, it’s possible that your income has increased, or theirs has decreased. And, if you’ve been earning more than your spouse and plan on continuing to do so, you’re going to need to adjust your expectations.
A primary concern is knowing how not to hurt children during the divorce process and how to protect them from being influenced by warring parents. But there are other issues that should also be addressed that can make that process smoother for everyone.