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Divorce isn't easy, but there are ways you can prepare yourself before you begin the process. You could seek legal counsel, gather all personal information, educate yourself on the legal processes specific to your state, organize your finances, and seek emotional support as needed. The divorce process can blindside you if you’re not ready. Our blog will discuss the five ways you can prepare yourself for divorce and may help ease some of the stress that typically accompanies divorce proceedings.
1. Seek legal counsel
Divorce proceedings tend to get rather complicated over time. To avoid a lengthy and arduous divorce process, having a divorce attorney by your side will prove invaluable in helping end things smoothly and efficiently. An experienced divorce attorney can help settle things quickly by presenting cases in court or drafting out divorce papers. It's important that you hire a divorce lawyer who specializes in family law so you'll have someone with experience to handle your case with care.
2. Gather all personal information
In divorce proceedings, access to personal information is usually gained through discovery. To avoid a lengthy process, you should gather all the necessary divorce papers and any other documentation that may be helpful in your divorce case. This includes bank statements, mortgage documents, retirement account details, tax returns, life insurance policy details, and more. As this can get overwhelming rather quickly, it might be a good idea to create an organized system of folders to store all these documents.
3. Educate yourself on divorce procedures specific to California
Specific divorce procedures differ from state to state, so consult with a family attorney on how things work in California. Also, divorce laws vary depending on the circumstances, and it's best to know what you need and how you can get it.
Different statutes include divorce, separation, annulment, divorce laws, divorce courts and judges, alimony and spousal support, child custody and child support, and property division. Property division is critical to consider in your divorce proceedings because it determines how the marital assets will be divided between both parties.
4. Organize your finances
As divorce proceedings can sometimes involve disagreements about money, an organized financial system may prove useful. Keep track of all your earnings and expenses through thorough record-keeping, and be sure that there aren't any hidden debts or assets. Once you are going through your proceedings, you should have all of your financial information readily available for review. Individuals going through a divorce should be aware of any adverse effects divorce can have on their financial situation and take steps to avoid these effects if possible.
5. Seek emotional support
Lastly, divorce is rife with emotional stress. It's difficult to go through divorce proceedings but talking about your divorce with someone you trust can help you feel better and work things out more easily. Having a divorce attorney to talk to is another good way of receiving support during your divorce. Divorce is a life-changing event, so it's important not to rush into decisions and set up a steady support system with friends and family members who will be there for you whenever you need them.
You may even choose to consult with a divorce therapist or a divorce support group. It may help you to talk about what you are feeling with someone who is objective and has experience with divorce. Learning about how others cope with divorce can also give you ideas for coping strategies that could work for you, which could offer added relief during this difficult time.
Divorce can be one of the most difficult events in anyone's life, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Knowing how divorce works, making financial preparations beforehand, and seeking emotional support from those around you before divorce even begins are just some of the many ways that divorce won't blindside you. If you have questions and would like to speak to one of our lawyers today, please contact us. Our offices are open, and we’re looking forward to hearing from you.