Divorce typically isn’t a nice time for the parties involved, even if the split is amicable. The dissolution of marriage isn’t easy to come to terms with regardless of how it ends, and acknowledging this is the end of an era and the beginning of a new life can be hard to acclimate to, no matter how much you might want this to happen.
The divorce process typically involves several steps, including filing a petition, serving the petition to your spouse, and attending court hearings. Understanding these steps can help you prepare and navigate the process more smoothly.
If you’re considering divorce and want to make this process as easy as possible, consider these things to help you move through it easily.
Know What You Want
While the primary goal of divorce is to end the marriage, it’s crucial to understand what you personally want from this process. Whether it’s a clean break without any financial claims, or if you have legitimate requests for alimony or child support, knowing your intentions will empower you to navigate the divorce process with confidence and clarity.
Get Support
You will have retained the services of a divorce lawyer once the process starts, however having a good support system around you can be extremely beneficial in helping you mentally and emotionally at this time. It can be family, friends, a therapist, or anyone you trust to give you good advice, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to lean on when things get rough. You need people in your corner regardless so find your people and build that support system when you’re ready to move forward with your divorce.
Separation of Finances
You need to look at all the ways you are financially linked and start the process of separating them. This could involve getting separate bank accounts, informing loan or credit card companies that you intend to file for divorce so you can avoid any further credit being taken out in your joint names, and talking to any other creditors of joint accounts to help you start the process of separating financial matters. If you’re planning to sell a house you are residing in, then it can be a good idea to look into a Quitclaim Deed. This will help give the buyer peace of mind that no other parties will have an interest in the property once it’s sold and that the title is clear.
Know Your Rights
Different states will have different legalities regarding divorce and knowing your rights and what you are and aren’t entitled to once you do get divorced will help you to make sure that things go the right way and that you are not fighting for something you aren’t going to get or aren’t entitled to. For example, in Texas, alimony payments are not supported unless you can successfully prove you cannot meet basic reasonable needs or a condition prevents you from doing so. On the other hand, Connecticut, Florida, and New Jersey support permanent alimony applications. The District of Columbia, New York, Indiana, and Mississippi have child support payments through the age of 21, while other states are 18.
The more you plan for the divorce, the better decision you will be able to make and the easier the whole process will be, regardless of the outcome.
