Like marriage, divorce is not a life choice to be taken lightly. The unraveling of a marriage is a painful process for most people but in the end, a divorce is much like a business transaction. Your emotional divorce and your legal divorce are related, but ultimately, the financial aspects of divorce are cold, hard facts affecting your bank account and many other facets of life. The stipulations in the final divorce decree will continue to have a great impact on your family life and financial well-being long after your marriage and divorce have become memories of the past.
The outcome of your divorce will have far-reaching effects on a great many aspects of your life:
- Relationships with extended family
- Your parental rights
- Your place of residence
- Your financial big picture, as well as details
- Your retirement funding
You may have arrived at this website because you see a possible or inevitable divorce looming on the horizon. Regardless of the reasons for the coming dissolution of your marriage, you are wise to step back and consider how you can plan to emerge from divorce in as strong a position as you can.
Things you can do now to prepare for a divorce, even if you believe it is a ways off, include the following:
- Document all of your and your spouse's assets and income streams to the best of your ability.
- Document wanton waste of marital assets that your husband or wife may be committing in connection with gambling, unwise business decisions, voluntary underemployment, extramarital affairs or destruction of property that you both own.
- Document as much information as possible regarding community property and debts of the marriage as well as any separate property and debts.
- Gather and preserve any evidence that you may find relevant and beneficial to your case and its outcome.
- Be sure to remain active in your children's lives as always and keep track of all activities. Interact directly with teachers and health care providers, for example, while keeping a log, copies of e-mails and other available evidence such as receipts, school programs or photographs that demonstrate your active parenting. Spending time with your children and keeping detailed records can strengthen your bid for child custody or visitation.
- If you are unsure as to whether a divorce is the right choice, consult with appropriate professionals, such as a marriage and family counselor, a minister, priest, rabbi or applicable religious leader if appropriate. You may want to discuss your situation with financial advisers, doctors or social workers, depending on your unique circumstances as you seek a sound basis on which to make this consequential decision. Timing and methods may make your divorce more or less stressful.
- Consult with a family law attorney early in the process. Even if you are not sure whether the divorce will, in fact, occur, a lawyer can evaluate your situation and advise you on specific actions you can take to prepare for as smooth a process of divorce as possible.
Preparing to File for Divorce
The Carlson Law Firm, P.C., is here to provide honest answers to your important questions regarding how to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in a Texas divorce. Planning for divorce does not mean that you have not done your best to save your marriage. Rather, it demonstrates a healthy understanding of the importance of taking proper care of yourself and your children long term. Contact us for a free consultation with a Texas family law attorney at one of our law offices in Killeen, Temple, Waco or Bryan. No appointment is necessary during regular business hours. Se habla español.
