Even if there are serious problems within a marriage, many women feel they are not ready to go down the route of divorce. For some women, they find the thought of the divorce process as intimidating and overwhelmingly complex. So how should a woman prepare for a divorce? If you can do the research and arrange things ahead of time, then you will find it a lot less stressful. Find the right lawyer and doing all relevant research will mean that when the time comes, you will be ready.
Finding the Right Lawyer
Although you can plan and work through your divorce without a lawyer, it can be a huge benefit to have someone who knows the process and can offer advice. In certain situations such as custody and visitation, having a lawyer present can have a huge impact on how often you will be able to see your children after divorce.
If you don’t have the money to afford a lawyer, you might be able to get a court-appointed lawyer. However, they will only be able to help you with a straightforward divorce, and you will need to provide proof of your financial situation.
If you are unsure where to start, try talking to friends or family members who have been through the same problems. Alternatively, you can speak to help groups or online support networks in your area.
Collecting Documents
You should start collecting all the paperwork you will need for the divorce as soon as possible. This includes bank statements, mortgage documents, you and your spouse’s Will if you have one, and details of any assets and debts you have. If some of these documents are not yours to keep, take photos of them for reference. You can also request copies of documents such as tax returns.
Calculate Your Expenditure
Part of your divorce settlement could include support payments that will either be permanent or temporary. To ensure that you get the amount you need, you must show the court what your typical expenses are for at least three months. If you can give them six months or more, then this will be even better.
Collect all receipts for everything you spend from food to cell phone calls. If you get your bills online, then you can sometimes download them or print them out and keep them all together.
Change Important Paperwork
If you have important paperwork such as a will that still mentions your spouse, then you need to get this altered as soon as possible. Other documents that may also need to be adjusted are life insurance and any rental agreements. However, some of these may need to be discussed in court before they can be changed.
Bank Accounts
If you both previously had a joint bank account, then you should start looking at setting up your own account. This will also be a good way to start saving money for when your divorce is finalized.
Saving Money
Divorce costs money, so you will need to start saving money for any expenses relating to your divorce. You should also start to put money away for life after your divorce so you can put a deposit on a house or start renting. Think about which money you get that you can save such as money from relatives, setting aside a portion of your paycheck, or selling items that belong to you.
Find a Support Network
Having a support network around you when you start the divorce proceedings is vital as it will help you deal with the day to day issues that will arise and the court sessions. This could be a network of friends and family or one of the many online groups that are there to help women in these situations. Preparing everything before you start and creating a supportive network around you can make the divorce a little easier to handle.