Divorce in Your Future? This Divorce Checklist Will Help
Are you thinking about divorcing your partner? You’re not alone.
According to Divorce Statistics, 16.4% of women between the ages of 25 and 29 tend to file for a divorce. It is also common for 8.5% of women between the ages of 30 and 34 to get a divorce.
Following essential steps ensures everything goes smoothly during your divorce. Let’s take a look at this divorce checklist to help you prepare for your big day.
Talk to a Counselor
Talking to a marriage counselor is an important consideration before the divorce process. During this difficult time in your life, you need support from someone to keep your emotions under control.
A marriage counselor can help you deal with depression, stress, anxiety, and other issues.
Talking to your marriage counselor is an effective strategy for your mental health. This makes it easier for you to cope with your pending divorce. You can talk to a licensed professional on the phone, online, or in person.
Hire a Divorce Attorney
You may not know how to file for divorce. That is why you should include a divorce attorney on your checklist.
Divorce proceedings can be complex and messy without a divorce attorney. To minimize issues, you need to rely on a team of skilled divorce attorneys that can help you.
The best attorneys can help to protect your legal rights. They can also go over your divorce papers and ensure that you get a positive outcome in divorce court.
A skilled divorce attorney has the knowledge and expertise to offer you guidance. They can minimize the stress of your divorce proceedings and ensure you don’t make mistakes.
Copies of Legal Documentation
Your divorce can be more complex if you don’t have the right documentation on hand. Preparing for your divorce requires you to make copies of your legal documentation.
This step ensures that you will have a smooth divorce filing process.
Make copies of the following documents:
- Marriage certificate
- Trust documents
- Prenuptial agreements
- Bank account statements
- Licenses and other documents
Be sure to create legible copies of your documentation and put them in a safe place.
Get a P.O. Box
Do you have concerns about your soon-to-be-ex seeing your legal documentation in the mail? It is beneficial for you to get a private P.O. Box before your divorce. This makes it easier for you to receive correspondence from your divorce lawyers.
If you’re still living with your spouse, you may have concerns about privatizing the mail you receive. Opening up a P.O. Box makes it easier and more convenient for you to access your divorce papers in the mail. A P.O. Box is the best place to keep your legal documentation secure.
Reliable Transportation
Are you currently sharing transportation with your spouse? Don’t forget to make sure you have your transportation.
The last thing you need is to worry about getting reliable transportation when you’re in the process of divorcing your partner.
If you don’t have a vehicle, you need to consider getting one, especially if you’re getting custody of your children. Having your vehicle gives you the convenience of transporting your kids. This is a way for you to avoid hassles and to avoid dealing with more issues with your soon-to-be-ex.
Open Separate Accounts
Are you sharing accounts with your partner? It is a good idea for you to set up accounts in your name only if you’re considering getting a divorce in the future.
Make a list of all the joint accounts you have with your partner and open new accounts in your name. You might need to open a separate bank account, credit card, and other accounts you need.
This is a beneficial step that makes it easier for you to establish credit in your name and to protect you from future issues.
Create Email Accounts
Marriage couples are usually in the habit of sharing email accounts. However, if you’re planning on a future divorce, you should set up your email accounts.
You put yourself in a vulnerable position if you continue to use emails that you and your spouse share. If your spouse knows your passwords, they can easily read your emails.
You might have confidential emails that you don’t want your spouse to learn about. Setting up your email accounts prevents you from worrying about your future ex going through your emails.
Even if you’re going through an amicable divorce, you still need to have your own account. This is a practical step since you and your spouse will soon be going your separate ways.
You can set up email accounts for your work or personal use. This gives you the freedom to have regular communication with your attorney and for you to maintain your privacy.
Save Money
You need to save enough money to cover the expenses for your divorce. You might have to pay your attorney and other legal professionals that are involved in your divorce.
When you’re meeting with your attorney, you need to understand the fee agreement and the total costs you will be charged for the divorce.
Plan Ahead of Time With a Divorce Checklist
Follow this guideline when you’re suddenly faced with the possibility of a divorce. A pre-divorce checklist saves you time, money, and lots of aggravation.
Planning ahead of time reduces the pressure from your shoulders and makes it easier for you to move forward with your divorce.
Did you find this girlfriend’s guide to divorce helpful? If you want to keep reading, you can check out more useful topics on our website.