There is a famous idiom ‘getting your ducks in a row’ which ironically people don’t consider it before filing a divorce, they in the heat of moment take everything negatively and regret over the consequences later. Divorce is a phase full of rational emotions and feelings, hardly people use the time given before filing divorce wisely, and they choose emotions to get over the whole trauma.
Just when u realizes that your marriage is on two wheels instead of four that’s exactly the right time to take precautions before things go in vain. You need to safeguard yourself and your kids (in case you have one). You need to be practical think smartly and take steps that best suit your interest, and in case, your partner is a bad egg you have to be super careful and have to work out everything lawfully and smartly. Most importantly you have to be strong as the thought of ending a newly built life can be worst nightmare, your dreams and wishes went down the drain.
Here are some useful steps you need to look into before proceeding further and filing a divorce. These are some tips that will protect you before the divorce.
1. Hire an experienced divorce attorney:
The first thing to keep in mind is workout things within legal boundaries to keep your case hassle-free. Talk to around at least 2-3 lawyers which are practicing family and divorce law and have an experience of 50-10 years minimum. It’s always better to keep a collaborative approach. However, it’s easier for you and your spouse to sort things without litigation; it will be cheap in your pocket. So basically you are looking into two things in a good divorce attorney
- How quickly he sorts out the issues.
- Yet willing to fight your case.
2. Your financial situation:
You need to get a clear picture of you and yours partner’s financial position. A good attorney will help you to sort out your financial distributions according to family law downriver MI. Primary goals of divorce include equal distribution of marital assets and debts. If you want fair share during divorce settlement negotiations it is extensive to know what you own and what you owe. Split based policy works in a financial settlement in such cases. Every asset or debt that can be a bank account, credit cards, vehicles, house, and furniture includes in it. Following are things you should in order to get a smooth settlement.
- Abut joint accounts:
If you have a joint account with your partner the first thing to do is close that account NOW, even if you are using credit cards get them blocked in order to stop unwanted purchases in future. Get a new credit card on your name and then use it exclusively.
- Keep your data secure:
Keep copies of all your financial data like bank letter, credit card details, income tax as well as your private data like passwords.
- Change or create your own mail:
In order to maintain privacy change your mailing address on all documents from current so that your partner doesn’t find out important documents that can create a big mess in your case.
- Grab a credit report:
All the surprises you get are not always with cake and candles. No matter how faithful your partner was with a credit report can confirm how well he played. You may get into a trouble if there is a lot of debt to be paid to its better to get a credit report and keep a close check on credit history.
3. Get proof of income:
You might just don’t know the exact amount or let’s say the correct amount of your partner’s income especially is he\she is self-employed, for that least you can do is to keep copies of all last financial business statements, bank account statements. Copies of monthly income, in the case of a regular job.
4. Post-divorce budgeting:
Here comes the interesting part. Setting up a new life all again after divorce is not going to be easy so it’s important to get hands on the budget before going for a divorce. See what you already have and how much will take to run a household, how you will pay your bills. This process is imperative because it will help you in a time of negotiations; you need to figure out what you will need in terms of finance in order to assess your settlement options.
5. Take my way or the highway:
This only means get your priorities straight. Avoid partying and hanging out with friends late night, especially in the case of child custody you can’t give a loose ball to your partner to play against you, it will only weaken your case. Don’t pretend to be good parents, be one. If you need someone close spend time with your family and kids.
Divorce is a harsh reality it can fade away your wishes, dreams with a blink of an eye. Best is to keep your relation pure and smooth from the scratch if nothing works you now know what should be your first step before getting a divorce.
