Planning For Divorce
Deciding to file for divorce is a difficult decision and can be the first of many important choices you will have to make during the process.
Making the decision may be stressful and fill you with conflicting emotions, but if you are clear that divorce is on the horizon, you must devise a plan to take care of all the details.
You may want to get a notebook and outline a plan to record your ideas and have a starting point for discussions with your spouse and divorce lawyer.
Some important things to think about and note may include: Broaching the Subject of Divorce with Your Spouse If the divorce is your idea, your spouse may be blindsided.
You might consider how your husband or wife may react to the news and plan accordingly.
If there is any indication that the revelation may provoke violence, the initial discussion might be best held over coffee in a public place.
You should have a bag packed in the event you cannot return home after having the initial divorce discussion.
A Financial Plan and Living Arrangements If you are unemployed, you may need to rely on personal savings, friends or relatives when you separate.
In any case, you should have a budget in mind and a plan in place to make it through the divorce.
A divorce settlement is usually not immediate and in the interim, you will need to support yourself and your children, if you have them.
Your divorce lawyer may be able to advise you as to what you can expect to pay or receive in a divorce settlement.
Explaining Divorce to Children If you have children, finding an age-appropriate way to talk to them about your divorce is important.
Younger children may not understand at all, while older children may express anger or frustration at the idea of divorce.
You will need to provide emotional support for your children throughout and after the divorce.
Planning for the Needs of Children Each state has child support guidelines in place to assist judges in determining which parent should pay child support and the amount of support to be paid.
A parent may voluntarily pay child support before a court order is in place requiring it, but in many cases, the custodial parent must wait for a court order before receiving child support payments.
Family courts generally favor shared custody arrangements, with both parents playing a role in raising the child.
You might consider working out a custody and visitation plan with your spouse, if possible.
If negotiations break down, mediation or communication through divorce lawyers may also allow you to come to an acceptable custody and visitation agreement and parenting plan.
Choosing a Divorce Lawyer It will be necessary to provide your divorce [http://www.
totaldivorce.
com] lawyer with lots of personal and intimate information about your life and finances.
It is important to choose a lawyer who specializes in divorce, and with whom you are comfortable.
You may wish to speak with several divorce lawyers to find one who shares your philosophy and makes you feel confident and comfortable going forward with your divorce.
Making the decision may be stressful and fill you with conflicting emotions, but if you are clear that divorce is on the horizon, you must devise a plan to take care of all the details.
You may want to get a notebook and outline a plan to record your ideas and have a starting point for discussions with your spouse and divorce lawyer.
Some important things to think about and note may include: Broaching the Subject of Divorce with Your Spouse If the divorce is your idea, your spouse may be blindsided.
You might consider how your husband or wife may react to the news and plan accordingly.
If there is any indication that the revelation may provoke violence, the initial discussion might be best held over coffee in a public place.
You should have a bag packed in the event you cannot return home after having the initial divorce discussion.
A Financial Plan and Living Arrangements If you are unemployed, you may need to rely on personal savings, friends or relatives when you separate.
In any case, you should have a budget in mind and a plan in place to make it through the divorce.
A divorce settlement is usually not immediate and in the interim, you will need to support yourself and your children, if you have them.
Your divorce lawyer may be able to advise you as to what you can expect to pay or receive in a divorce settlement.
Explaining Divorce to Children If you have children, finding an age-appropriate way to talk to them about your divorce is important.
Younger children may not understand at all, while older children may express anger or frustration at the idea of divorce.
You will need to provide emotional support for your children throughout and after the divorce.
Planning for the Needs of Children Each state has child support guidelines in place to assist judges in determining which parent should pay child support and the amount of support to be paid.
A parent may voluntarily pay child support before a court order is in place requiring it, but in many cases, the custodial parent must wait for a court order before receiving child support payments.
Family courts generally favor shared custody arrangements, with both parents playing a role in raising the child.
You might consider working out a custody and visitation plan with your spouse, if possible.
If negotiations break down, mediation or communication through divorce lawyers may also allow you to come to an acceptable custody and visitation agreement and parenting plan.
Choosing a Divorce Lawyer It will be necessary to provide your divorce [http://www.
totaldivorce.
com] lawyer with lots of personal and intimate information about your life and finances.
It is important to choose a lawyer who specializes in divorce, and with whom you are comfortable.
You may wish to speak with several divorce lawyers to find one who shares your philosophy and makes you feel confident and comfortable going forward with your divorce.
