Preparing for Divorce
There are many steps to complete when it comes ending your marriage. There is marital property to divide, assets to consider, retirement plans to change, credit cards to open, and bank accounts to close. If you have children, there are additional, and often more emotional considerations regarding custody, parenting plans, and visitation rights.
You may also have other things to consider—who will keep the family pet? When can the ex-spouse still visit with and carry on a relationship with in-laws? Is it possible to still share a group of friends? These are all considerations that will need to be made at the personal discretion of the divorcing couple. While a legal professional can help with concrete processes, of course, including financial decisions and property division, he or she will only be able to offer solicited advice when it comes to the more personal aspects of marital dissolution.
Filing for Divorce
When it comes to the actual filing, however, there are several things that are imperative to keep in mind that will help prepare you, mentally, for the process. Divorce is one of the most stressful things that a person can go through in life; the more prepared you are for the proceeding, the more likely it is that you will feel as little stress as possible going through it. Here are some important ideas to keep in mind if you are considering or facing divorce:
- Time: The process will always take longer and cost more than you think it will. No matter how much you plan for financially, divorce will always be expensive—if for no other reason than it takes a lot of money to completely start your life over from scratch. The nastier the divorce is, the more expensive it will be, as a drawn-out process will cost you much more in attorney’s fees and court costs, not to mention the emotional investment;
- Keep your guard up: You will not be able to get along with your ex, at least during the proceeding. Do not try to minimize the process by assuming that you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse will be able to remain chummy throughout. While you may be able to remain civil, you are likely to experience a number of serious disagreements; and
- Seek out support: Be prepared for the worst. You may feel sad or lost or unmoored. This is—for lack of a better phrase—normal. Be ready for it. Be sure that you have a support system lined up—which may include family, friends, or co-workers. You may need a shoulder to cry on, even when you thought you would not.
If you are considering divorce, perhaps the most important step is to seek the assistance of an experienced Kane County divorce attorney. Call 630-232-9700 to schedule a confidential consultation at The Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates today.
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosemond-perdue-cranner/5-things-i-wish-id-known-before-filing-for-divorce_b_10135500.html
