In a recent post, we discussed some reasons why many people put off filing for divorce until after the holidays. Everything from overwhelming stress to financial obstacles can certainly make it a little easier to decide to wait until next month to focus on the divorce.
However, this does not mean you have to ignore your situation or try to forget about it until you or your spouse files paperwork. If you believe you are headed for divorce in the near future, there are steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself in the immediate future.
To begin with, there are financial decisions you will want to make differently if you are preparing for a divorce. Your spending, your ex’s spending and all shared and individual accounts will be combed through during a divorce. Excessive spending could cause problems during the asset division process; missing funds could be considered shielding assets; failure to familiarize yourself with household income and payments could lead to misguided decisions.
You can also explore informal separation arrangements with an estranged spouse in order to identify any potential problems early on. For instance, you may be living separately but raising your children together. Until a custody plan is formalized, it may be possible to work with your ex to try and find a solution that works best if you are amicable.
There are many gray areas and complex issues that can arise in the time leading up to a divorce. Without some guidance and information, you can wind up making some costly mistakes.
The attorneys at our firm can help you understand what rights you have as well as what decisions could ultimately work against you when the actual divorce process is underway. For information on our firm and the services we provide, please visit our family law website.
