If you’re getting a divorce, you need to protect yourself. And, one of the unconventional ways to make the process easier is to consciously work with your spouse to obtain a cooperative, no-fault divorce, one where the courts do not need to interfere.
Even when you can work with your husband or wife to achieve an amicable divorce, you still need to understand your rights and responsibilities regarding child custody and support, spousal support, property and debt division. If you feel powerless in any way – you can turn that feeling around be following these divorce survival tips:
- Divorce can be very emotional, but try to keep emotions out of it. Remain calm, cool and collected and treat your divorce like a business transaction.
- Consider the timing of your divorce and discuss the pros and cons of timing with a lawyer.
- Before you ask for a divorce, consult with an attorney. This way, you’re making a fully educated decision.
- Once you decide to get a divorce, be the first to file. There are advantages to filing first.
- Run your credit from the three bureaus: Experience, TransUnion and Equifax, and carefully examine all financial accounts so you know what you owe and to whom. Also, make a note of all “joint accounts.”
- Make copies of all financial documents, including tax returns, bank accounts, credit cards, auto loans, investments, life insurance, retirement accounts, and mortgages.
- PROTECT your credit. Do not co-sign anything for your spouse, and close or separate all existing joint credit cards.
- Do not move out of the house if you want custody of your children without getting temporary child custody orders in place first.
- If you haven’t been working and you’re in good health, it’s time to update your resume and start looking for a job.
- Keep your kids out of the divorce and don’t use them as pawns.
- Absent of domestic violence, encourage your children to have a meaningful relationship with your spouse.
- Keep your divorce off social media and don’t change your Facebook status to “single” until your divorce is final.
- If you’re having a hard time, seek help from a therapist, a counselor, or from a clergy member. You can also read books on divorce, join a support group, or attend lectures.
Related: Why Choose an Uncontested Divorce
If you believe that you and your spouse can work together to achieve a no-fault divorce for just $299, we invite you to contact Cairns Law Offices. We believe in making the divorce process as quick, painless, and affordable as possible. Give us a call to learn more.
