When your marriage is coming to an end, it can be hard to figure out your next steps. After all, at a time when you’re grappling with your emotions, it’s tough to figure out how to handle the legal issues confronting you, such as property division and child custody. But even though the stress of it all may be weighing down on you, you can’t let it drive you to inaction. The best way to alleviate the pressure and proceed with confidence is to develop a strong divorce strategy. And that all begins with figuring out your first steps.
Of course, there are multiple ways to approach a divorce. You have to find and utilize the one that’s best for your set of circumstances. That said, let’s look at some of the first steps that you should consider taking once it becomes apparent that your marriage is headed toward divorce.
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to preparing for divorce, don’t worry. Many people are similarly situated, and there is a path forward. Here are some steps that you might want to consider taking now to start the marriage dissolution process off on the right foot:
- Inventory assets: You’ll want to obtain your fair share of the marital estate once you enter the property division process, but to achieve that outcome you’ll need a clear understanding of the nature and extent of the marital estate. By conducting a thorough inventory, you can identify all assets that are in play so that you can develop an effective negotiation and litigation strategy.
- Identify marital debt: Debt that’s jointly held by you and your spouse will also have to be divided during divorce. It’s therefore a good idea to gain a sense of how much you and your spouse owe so that you can advocate for a division that’s fair and manageable.
- Develop a budget: The financial positioning of your post-divorce life is probably going to be a lot different than it is now. By creating a realistic post-divorce budget, you’ll have a better idea not only of what your life will look like at that point, but also what you’ll need out of your divorce to stabilize. Just make sure you’re being honest with yourself when you create your budget, otherwise it won’t do you any good.
- Focus on your children: Divorce can certainly take an emotional toll on you, but it can be even harder for your children who may feel like the world as they know it is crumbling around them. Have open and honest conversations with your children about what will and won’t change as a result of your divorce and reassure them that they aren’t to blame for the marriage’s dissolution. Also, refrain from talking poorly about the other parent when around your children.
Are you ready to navigate your divorce?
Hopefully you already have a sense of what you want and need out of your divorce. But even if you don’t, now isn’t the time to worry. Instead, seek out the information and guidance needed to give you direction and the confidence to craft a strong legal strategy that puts your interests, as well as those of your children, first. That might seem like a lot to grapple with, but we know that with a little work and preparation you can and will get through this process successfully.