Partner
Divorce is a major transitional time. Whether it is uncontested or contested, divorce will bring major life changes. If you are in the midst of a divorce or are even considering a divorce, preparing for the divorce process can help you cope with what lies ahead.
Preparing for Divorce: What Can You Do?
One of the best things you can do to prepare for divorce is to take a good look at your financial situation and get things in order. This means getting copies of all of your financial statements, including:
- Recent tax returns
- Bank account statements
- Investment account statements
- Insurance statements
- Credit card statements
Getting an overview of the state of your finances, such as your assets and liabilities, will help you make informed and intentional decisions as you go into divorce proceedings.
Reviewing your finances will also help you prepare a budget. One of the biggest practical changes in divorce is that, instead of a single-family, dual-income home, you and your spouse will have a single household, a single income situation. This is a big change. Establishing a possible budget based only on your income can alleviate a lot of future financial stress.
Also in line with your new living situation is where you will be taking up residence. Think about whether or not you will need to get a new place. If this is likely, consider investigating the housing market. This will give you a good idea of housing costs. If you are considering staying in the marital residence, evaluate whether or not it will still be a good fit for you as well as whether or not you will be able to maintain the living situation on your income.
If you have children, there will be other big decisions that you should begin thinking about. Consider what type of custody will work for you and your spouse. If you are looking to gain majority custody of your child or children, think about how you will advocate for this. If you are not aiming for majority custody, remember that you will likely have to pay child support and make sure to include this in your budget calculations.
Another very important part of preparing for divorce is making sure you have a solid support system in place. This means surrounding yourself with family, loved ones, and trusted advisors. Find a divorce attorney you trust and one that you feel comfortable with. You need to feel like you can communicate openly and honestly with your attorney about some personal subjects.
Syracuse Divorce Lawyer
At CDH Law, our team of experienced Syracuse divorce lawyers is here to provide you with the legal counsel you can count on. We protect the best interests of our clients and provide zealous advocacy. Whether you are considering divorce or are in the midst of divorce proceedings, CDH Law is here for you. Contact us today.