When planning for divorce, you should keep in mind your desired goals and outcomes.  This may include how you plan to handle finances, child custody, assets, and liabilities. 

Before filing for a divorce, you may consider preparing for the divorce process by asking yourself some of the questions below:

1. Look for potential places to live and plan a monthly budget

What is the cost of alternative housing or do you wish to remain in the marital residence?  How much are monthly household expenses and costs?  Who will be responsible for monthly household expenses?  Are there any shortfalls in your monthly income versus your monthly expenses?

2. Obtain financial information and monthly bill information

Do you have joint accounts with your spouse?  Do you have a separate account in your own name?  What are the shared expenses on a joint credit card and how will the joint credit card balances be paid off?  Whose name is on the utility bills and other expenses relating to the marital residence?  What are the bills that must be paid in order to avoid damage to your credit rating?

3. Personal items that are separate or community

What items were you gifted or inherited?  Are there any family heirlooms?  What furniture or furnishings would you like to keep and which ones are you agreeable for your spouse to keep in the event of a divorce?

4. Mailing address

Do you have a new address to use so that there will not be any disruption in mail?  Do you need to maintain a consistent address to receive important paperwork such as immigration or legal documents?

5. Think before you hit send, including emails, texts, and social media posts

If your emails, notes, calls, texts, or social media posts was shown in court as an exhibit, would it make you look bad?  Before sending an emotional response by text, email, or social media, consider whether the response may harm your interests in a divorce proceeding as they are regularly used in court as evidence.

6. Begin a divorce file 

This file may include financial documents, insurance paperwork, assets (including pension and 401ks), and liabilities (mortgage, car payments, credit card debt).  An experienced family law lawyer may also direct you to gather other forms of documentation that will assist you in your divorce proceeding given specific facts in your case. 

7. Speak to an experienced divorce attorney

An experienced family law attorney may be able to assist you with strategizing the case given your specific facts and provide you with your options moving forward.

We Are Here to Help

For guidance on the divorce process and planning for a divorce in your case, call the Liu Law Firm today at (469) 949-9227.

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