Before filing for divorce, you should prepare yourself financially. Be honest with yourself about your finances, try to avoid litigation, and establish credit in your own name. Listed below are some tips for preparing yourself financially and legally for a divorce. If you’re unsure about what you should do, consult a divorce lawyer for advice. Then, prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the future. You’ll be glad you did. Take advice from McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC for divorce related cases.
Prepare yourself financially
If you are planning to divorce, you will want to prepare yourself financially. It is essential to keep your bills paid and make ultra-conservative financial decisions. If you’ve been married for 10 years, you probably don’t realize how much a three-bedroom apartment can cost. You might not even know what cable and internet costs. Fortunately, you can do some research beforehand, and save yourself from surprises once the divorce is final.
In addition to making copies of all important financial documents, you’ll also want to make copies of pre-nuptial agreements and divorce judgments. If you have children, you should also collect their social security numbers and birth certificates. Your spouse might try to hide this information, so be sure to get copies of everything you can. Lastly, make a list of all expenses and cash flow. If you can estimate the amount of money your spouse will spend on expenses, you’ll have a better idea of what the divorce settlement will cost you.
Be honest with yourself
A divorce is an emotionally difficult experience for everyone. It may involve intense emotions and negative self-talk. However, there is a process to divorce, one that is a necessary part of life after the end of a marriage. If you can be honest with yourself, you’ll be better prepared to face the challenges that come with life after divorce. You can begin by recognizing and acknowledging your emotions about divorce and be honest with yourself about your wishes for the future.
In the case of an affair, it may be tempting to divorce. After all, you felt love and euphoria during the affair. But these feelings don’t last long and you might regret ending your marriage because you were having an affair. Therefore, before filing for divorce, check your hormones and the rational part of your brain. Give yourself time to think through your options. If you are the one who caused the problems, try to correct it so that you don’t have to go through the process again.
Avoid litigation
You’ve likely heard about the benefits of mediation, but have you heard the cons? While mediation can be a good alternative to litigation, it doesn’t eliminate the need for a lawyer. It’s also less expensive and requires fewer resources. While many people believe that litigation is the best way to settle their divorce, it can lead to further conflict. By choosing a mediator before filing for divorce, you can reduce the stress of the divorce process, while limiting the scope of your issues.
Establish credit in your own name
In order to build credit after a divorce, you must make small steps. It may be necessary to obtain a secured credit card, such as a credit card from a bank or department store. If you cannot get a secured credit card, ask a friend or relative to sign on as a co-signor. This way, you can use their credit as collateral. It is also possible to get a line of credit in your own name.
While you should reach out to creditors to make arrangements to settle debts, you should also make sure that you change your passwords and contact information. Many creditors will be more lenient if you can prove you’re unable to meet your payments. Another way to establish credit in your own name is to open new accounts and pay off existing ones. You should also establish your own credit cards, since you’ll be responsible for your ex-spouse’s bad debts.
Protect your mental well-being
Considering how stressful a divorce can be, it’s essential to protect your mental health before filing. While 1 in 4 adults suffer from a mental illness every year, a divorce is still a loss in a person’s life. Divorce triggers the grieving process. Fighting the grief can be counterproductive. Instead, focus on finding ways to reduce the emotional impact of a divorce on yourself and your children.
While separating from a partner, it is important to protect your mental health before filing for divorce. Psychiatrists warn that one in five adults suffers from a mental illness. These can include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, phobias, and even alcoholism. While you are going through the divorce process, try to find a way to express your needs in a way that doesn’t appear manipulative.
