Pre-Divorce Planning

Approaching divorce with a clear understanding of the process and the steps you can take to prepare for it can make all the difference in helping you navigate the challenges of ending a marriage. Read on for some tips on pre-divorce planning.

Gathering Documents 

When trying to come up with a divorce settlement, couples will need access to a comprehensive record of their assets, debts, and income. These numbers will affect not only property division agreements, but also things like child support and alimony. To help with this process, consider creating a file with copies of your most important financial records, like bank statements, property deeds, and tax returns, so you don’t have to go hunting for them later.

Assessing Your Financial Situation 

The pre-divorce stage is also a good time to assess your finances by making a budget to account for your post-divorce income, expenses, and debts. This information can help during negotiations, so that you know what kind of settlement you’ll need to be financially secure upon divorce.

Determining Your Housing Situation 

If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, one of you may be thinking about moving out while the divorce is pending. This is a good time to start considering what your permanent post-divorce housing situation will look like. This could involve keeping the family home, downsizing, or finding a more affordable place to live in another area. Be sure to weigh the financial implications of your decisions to ensure that it aligns with your budget.

Keeping Records 

It’s also important for couples who have decided to go through with divorce to keep a well-organized record of communication. Be sure to document all agreements that you reach, keep note of important discussions, and write down key dates related to the divorce proceedings. You may want to save emails and text messages as well, to be used as evidence in the event of a dispute.

Working on a Co-Parenting Plan 

If you and your spouse share children, you’ll also want to take steps towards coming up with a co-parenting plan that will work both during and after divorce. Start thinking about the kinds of time-sharing agreements that could benefit your family. Establishing a stable routine for your children at this time can also be helpful, especially if you maintain that routine during the separation period.

Seeking Emotional Support 

Divorce can be an emotional process, which is why we encourage many of our clients who are still in the pre-divorce phase, to reach out to family members, friends, and counselors for support. Taking this step early can give you valuable insight that will help you process your feelings in a healthy way.

An Experienced Florida Divorce Attorney Can Help 

Taking steps towards pre-divorce planning can go a long way towards helping you make informed decisions during the divorce process itself. To learn more about the things you can do to make this process simpler and less stressful, please reach out to experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 today.

Sources: 

forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-checklist/

floridabar.org/public/consumer/pamphlet010/