Steps You Should Take When Filing for Divorce

Reaching the decision to file for divorce is often a long and emotional process. Unfortunately, you still have an often-complex legal process ahead of you before you can legally end your marriage. The good news is that there are steps you can take that can put you in the best position possible and make the divorce process go more smoothly.

The following are some general steps that many people should take. To have your specific situation evaluated, contact a Daytona Beach divorce attorney at The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Klein, P.A. directly.

Gather Information

The more information you have at the start of the divorce process, the better. First, you want to have a clear picture of your financial situation and have all of your personal information organized. Some information you’ll want to gather includes:

• Social security numbers for you, your spouse, and your children
• All sources of income for both you and your spouse
• All financial accounts, including bank accounts, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and more
• Deeds and titles to real property and vehicles
• Debt statements, including mortgage, loans, and credit cards

If you can present this information to your attorney, they can best advise you of what to expect moving forward. Further, having all financial information up front can reduce the chances of your spouse attempting to hide assets or other information from you.

Make Housing Decisions

Some divorcing couples live separately during the process, which might be better emotionally and mentally, but can cause financial strain. If one spouse is moving out of the home, you will have two sets of housing and utility costs. However, living separately might be necessary, such as when your spouse was abusive.

Plan Financially

Divorce can put a strain on your finances, and you are facing a future of independent finances post-divorce. It is a good idea to make a strict budget, limit spending, and make sure you have credit established in your own name. If you want to sell a car or property, now is the time to do so, as the court might not allow it during your divorce.

Decide Who to Tell

Most spouses know that a divorce is coming, but some plan a divorce secretly until the divorce papers get served. This might be preferable if you think your spouse will take deceptive measures, such as hiding assets, or engage in threatening retaliation. You should also consider the best time to tell your children, which often depends on whether you decide to remain living together or not.

Meet with an Experienced Daytona Beach Divorce Attorney

One of the most important steps you should take is to schedule a meeting with Daytona Beach divorce lawyers, The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Klein, P.A. This is how you will get the best idea of what to do and what to expect. Our legal team can evaluate your options and help develop your goals for time-sharing, property division, spousal support, and more. Call 386-252-3061 or contact us online today.