Divorce isn’t only a legal process. It is also an emotional one. Separating assets, making custody arrangements, and dealing with the complicated emotions of ending a committed relationship are difficult. However, there are steps you can take when considering a divorce that can help empower you and make the overall process run more smoothly and efficiently.
Preparing for a divorce now puts you in the best position to manage the ups and downs of the legal and psychological issues that can arise during the process.
Preparing for Divorce
With some preparation and research, you can take steps to prepare yourself for the road ahead and put yourself in the best position possible to achieve a favorable outcome. Steps you need to take when considering a divorce should include:
- Self-reflection – The first step before any significant life decision should be to carefully evaluate your position and engage in self-reflection. List your reasons for considering a divorce and think about whether it represents your best path forward. This step can help you mentally prepare for dissolving your marriage and becoming single again.
- Ultimatums don’t work – Divorce should never be a threat or ultimatum. Threats only further break apart a marriage, and they do not work to save it. If you are serious about pursuing a divorce, do not use it as a threat, and keep your plans to yourself. Depending on the situation, some partners may hear the word divorce and start to move or hide assets, run up credit card debt, or alienate children, which can complicate the divorce process.
- Get organized – Moving forward with divorce means getting organized. Make copies of essential documents and gather all information about your finances, keeping these documents safe and secure. You’ll want copies of previous tax returns, bank statements, debt statements, insurance policies, pension documentation, retirement account statements, property holding documentation, investment details, and mortgage paperwork. You want everything about your financial situation, including documentation of business assets or information, to be in one place.
- Document everything – If you suspect that your spouse may take the news of divorce hard or do things to hurt you or your children, start documenting your situation. Keep text messages, emails, or voicemails and document incidents of abuse or neglect. For individuals in abusive situations, the abuse tends to ramp up when the person in control feels like they are losing control and knows their partner wants a divorce.
- Seek compassionate support – Family and friends’ support can help empower you during this challenging time. Now more than ever, you need a shoulder to lean on and someone you can trust to help you manage your feelings. However, choose your support system carefully. You don’t want news of your decision to get back to your spouse before you are ready. You may also seek help and support from a professional in mental health services who can offer you guidance and unbiased advice.
- Find an experienced family law attorney as soon as possible – The most vital step to protect yourself and prepare for what’s to come is to talk to an experienced and compassionate Texas family law attorney. A divorce attorney can provide empathetic support in addition to effective legal advice to help you manage the next steps in the divorce process. From helping to manage communication between you and your spouse to protecting your legal rights and fighting for the best outcome possible, an attorney can help you make the best of a difficult situation.
Talk to a Fort Worth Divorce Attorney Now
At Jennifer Wiggins Moore Family Law, our team combines personalized legal representation with compassionate support. We want to help you get through this challenging time with grace and strength so you can get a fresh beginning.
Contact our office today and request a confidential divorce consultation.
