3 Things To Do Before Filing For Divorce
Ending a marriage can be an emotionally grueling experience, so it should come as no surprise that many couples who are considering divorce, approach it by making several emotionally-based decisions. This can, however, end up making the divorce process extremely acrimonious or time-consuming. To help you avoid this, we’ve included a few tips that could make all the difference in getting you started out on the right track when filing for divorce. To learn more, please reach out to an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer today.
Get a Clear Picture of Your Finances
One of the most important things you can do when deciding to file for divorce is to get a clear picture of your finances. For instance, couples who have joint accounts, credit cards, and loans should be sure to clearly identify, categorize, and monitor those accounts. This can also help the divorce process go more smoothly down the line, when couples are required to equitably divide all of their marital property, including assets and debts.
If you and your partner are planning on getting divorced, discussing the state of your joint finances can only help in the process of making a clean break. Consider making a list of what you owe and to whom you owe it, as well as inventorying your valuable assets and noting when they were acquired. By requesting a copy of your credit report you can also view any accounts that appear under your name.
Decide Whether to Stay or Move Out
Unless you and your spouse have decided to cohabitate during divorce, you should probably start considering who, if anyone, will stay in the marital home during and after the proceedings and who will relocate. It’s important to note, however, that besides affecting your immediate comfort, what you do now can also impact your proceedings later on. Someone who ultimately wants to keep the home, for instance, could lose a major bargaining chip if they move out prior to divorce. This decision could also have a significant impact on your finances, with one person perhaps being required to shoulder the majority of upkeep costs. Consider your options carefully before making a decision.
Hire a Skilled Divorce Lawyer
While it can be tempting to try and handle your divorce on your own, doing so can have unforeseen consequences. To ensure that your own divorce goes as smoothly and as quickly as possible, you should consider retaining a qualified Florida divorce lawyer who can deploy legal strategies on your behalf, work towards a resolution without litigation, and generally protect your interests.
Have You Decided to File for Divorce?
If you and your partner are thinking about divorce and want to discuss your options further, call 954-945-7591 to set up an initial consultation with experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. Our legal team is dedicated to helping our clients obtain the best possible results not only for themselves, but also for their families. Don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or online message today.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html
