Decided on Divorce? 4 Things You Need to Do Today
If you are about to begin the process of divorcing your spouse, it is likely that you will have a lot of things on your mind. Even an amicable divorce, where both parties work together to get the best outcome can create a lot of confusion and stress. Below are four things you should do during the divorce process to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
Consider Your Finances
The first thing you should do before commencing divorce proceedings is to assess your financial situation. When you separate from your partner, you will no longer be able to rely on the joint income you previously shared. You should carefully work out how much money you will now have coming into your bank account and offset this against all your outgoings. Doing so will allow you to establish if you need to reconfigure your financial setup by selling high-value belongings, cashing in investments or downsizing your home. These figures will also form the basis of any application to the court for spousal support.
Discuss Custody Arrangements
If you and your partner have children, it is important that you try to have an honest and open discussion about who will have custody of the kids and how visits will be arranged. If you children are old enough, you may wish to involve them in this discussion. While discussing custody can be difficult, it is better to reach an agreement with your spouse and children rather than having the custody arrangements dictated by a family court judge. If you are unable to come to an agreement with your spouse about the custody arrangements, the discussion with your partner will help to demonstrate to the court that you are not behaving unreasonably and that you have sought to resolve the issue.
Avoid Major Purchases
Once you have decided to divorce, you should avoid making any major purchases such as buying a new house or car. During the divorce proceedings, the family court will inspect your finances when deciding on the level of spousal support. Major purchases will make it easier for a judge to decide you do not need any financial assistance. If you are in dispute with your partner, they may claim that you have spent their money to make the purchases, which will further complicate and prolong the divorce proceedings.
Contact a Family Lawyer
As soon as you make the decision to divorce, you should contact a family lawyer. Family lawyers are specially trained in every aspect of divorce law and will be able to guide you through the entire process. Contact a family lawyer today for further help and advice.