What to Do Before You File for Divorce
Are you finally ready to admit that your marriage is over? Do you want to know how to proceed to start the next chapter? Admitting that it is time to file for a divorce is a difficult decision that requires lengthy thought and discussion before it is decided. When you admit that divorce is the next step in your life, you will want to start to prepare yourself for the legal divorce process. As a divorce attorney in Orlando, we assist many people with the legal aspects of their divorce. From the documentation to child custody to prenuptial agreements to alimony payments, we can handle it all. These are a few things that you need to do before you file for divorce.
Reach Out to Divorce Lawyers
Engage the services of a family lawyer who can assist you with mediation, arbitration, negotiations, or a trial. Ensure that the lawyer is knowledgeable about family law practices, the emotional process, problem-solving, child development, and the psychology of reconciliation. Confirm that they are aware of the process being employed.
Do Your Research on Different Attorneys
Before you choose the divorce attorney in Orlando that you plan on using, you should meet with multiple people and discuss how they will help you throughout the process. Look at factors like their success rate, reputation, and specialty before you fully make the decision to use their services. You should also ask questions about payment plans, attorneys’ fees, and who will be working on your case so that you have all the data to make an informed decision on who to trust with your divorce.
Prepare Your Documents
Gather statements that show the values of debts and assets and their estimated market value. Accumulate all title documents, deeds, retirement, insurance policies, profit sharing, deferred compensation, stocks, and bonds. Obtain copies of your state and federal tax returns for the last three years. Likewise, make a list of valuable personal assets and determine what property each of you brought to the marriage and what possessions you received after the marriage. Ascertain any secured debts, such as mortgages and car loans.
Choose the Legal Steps You Want to Take
When deciding on the options of how to settle your divorce, get the appropriate guidance on best family law practices. They will be able to advise you on the different ways that you can settle your divorce, like arbitration, mediation, or going to trial. Find and hire a family law attorney who specializes, has received training, and has accumulated experience in the method you prefer.
Create Boundaries with Your Ex
Many boundaries were broken when in love; as business partners, you must rebuild them. There will be a need to oversee your own financial and business affairs, living space, privacy, and have confidence that your belongings are secure. You must be free of the consequences of your spouse's financial and business dealings. You need to know where your children are, how they are being cared for, communication methods with them, and how decisions about their support are made. These boundaries protect you. That sense of safety will drastically reduce the need to fight, blame, and avoid being accused.
Figure Out a Living Arrangement That Works
Going through a divorce process while living under the same roof as your ex may pose challenges that you might not need to face. By finding a new living arrangement for either you or your ex, you will be able to go through the divorce process in a more harmonious way. If you can, you should consider having your ex move out to a rental apartment or even consider moving in with a friend or trusted family member until the divorce is finalized. When you live separately during the legal process, you will be able to come to the negotiations with a clear head and fully focused on what you need to do for your future. This can also help prevent drama and conflict during the process.
Learn to Accept the Change
Take time to acknowledge that both of you are good people who find it impossible to proceed with your relationship as lovers. Acknowledge that going forward, like everyone else in the society, you and your spouse will have a boundary separating you from sexual intimacy and protecting your privacy, private property, and space. Family law practitioners can assist in the transition guidance.
Maintain Your Best Attitude
Divorce can put an individual under a magnifying lens. During the process, avoid behaving in a way that will make your divorce more financially challenging. These may include refraining from partying, dating, or engaging in any other activity that a judge might consider questionable. Additionally, spend a lot of time with family, friends, and your children. Attend to your spiritual life and take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Most importantly, be above reproach in everything you do.
Assemble a Support System
Although your divorce attorney in Orlando will help you through the difficult legal process, you want to be sure that you have people to turn to for the emotional turmoil. Going through a divorce may be something that you never thought would happen. Having people to lean on can make it much easier, especially when you can rely on them when you are having a bad day. Whether you are sad or angry, it will be beneficial for you to have friends and family to talk to when you are feeling those emotions. It will also be positive for your divorce process, as you will be able to keep those emotions out of the courtroom by venting to others.
These are a few of the important steps you need to take to prepare for filing for divorce. If you are going through a divorce, you will want to trust our divorce attorney in Orlando to help you through it. Contact our team of reputable and experienced lawyers to hear how we can help you today.