Preparing for Your Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Deciding to end your marriage is difficult, but the process of divorce can be especially challenging if you are not prepared. Your divorce is likely to include a number of fairly complicated elements, but with a little advance planning, you can be ready for the potentially long road ahead. If you are considering a divorce, you should:

Decide How You Want to Handle Your Divorce

Your attitude toward your divorce can make a dramatic impact on the proceedings and the eventual outcome. Before you file any formal paperwork, you should set goals about the process. You can decide that you will do everything possible to keep your divorce amicable and friendly, or you can decide that getting exactly what you want is more important than preserving a future relationship with your ex. Keep in mind that a bitter, contentious divorce could end up taking much longer, costing more money, and may not be best if you have children.

Gather Important Documents

As you prepare for your divorce proceedings, you will also want to start gathering any paperwork that may be relevant. Such documents typically include tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, investment reports, and current balances on all outstanding loans. If you own a business, you may need to present your company’s financials during the divorce, as well.

Consider Getting a Post Office Box

If you and your spouse are still sharing the marital home as you get ready for divorce, it may be a good idea for you to have a separate mailing address so that you can keep your financial matters confidential. A post office box can be an easy way to do this. Any correspondence from your lawyer should also go to the post office box. If you or your spouse has moved out and you do not have access to each other’s mail, your home mailing address will probably suffice.

Set Aside Savings

Your divorce is going to cost money—and probably more than you expect. If you can, start putting aside cash to cover some of your lawyer fees and court costs. Be sure to keep meticulous records of everything you spend, however, so that your spouse cannot accuse you of dissipating or wasting marital assets.

Contact an Attorney

Before making any major decisions regarding your divorce, you should speak with an experienced Aurora divorce attorney. We can help you prepare for the process as well as provide responsible, reliable representation throughout the proceedings. Call 630-409-8184 for a confidential consultation at the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. today.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-a-landers/9-critical-steps-women-sh_b_828841.html

http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/thedivorceprocess/ss/divorce_prep.htm