Can You Prepare for Divorce While You Are Married?
Today we answer the age-old question: Yes, you can get prepared for divorce while you are still married. There are always some things for you to consider when you go through some large, changing times during your life – and divorce is one of them. By following some steps, you can ensure that you are ready for this time in your life and make sure that your assets are protected, too!
How to Prepare for Divorce While Married
Saving Money: There are some things that you should remember about your finances in divorce. It pays to start putting money aside, because divorce is a very costly aspect and can be more costly when you have to hire an attorney. Once your divorce is final, it is important to be able to sustain yourself on one income instead of two that you may have been used to. You should also consider opening a separate bank account from your spouse and make sure that they cannot access it so you have somewhere to store the money you make at your own job.
Documenting Your Lifestyle: You should always keep track of your marital lifestyle, which includes your income, spouse’s income, assets, debts, and expenses. You should also make copies of important financial documents from pay stubs to tax returns. Lastly, remember to store your financial documents in a safe place away from your home, as these documents will be very important in court.
Preparing for Custody Disputes: Keep a diary of important things that happen involving your children, such as who takes them to appointments and certain activities. You should also have copies of police reports if your spouse should not be around your children as well as other documents that back this up. Try to stay with your children in your marital home unless there is violence, in which you should leave as soon as possible. A court will sometimes choose to award custody time to a parent that stays in the home with their children.
Preparing for Legal Representation: Speak to an attorney who can help you through the hardest parts of your divorce. It is important to speak to us about many aspects of your divorce, from splitting assets to child custody. We can help you every step of the way.