Sometimes it is evident when a marriage is headed for divorce. The fact is that not everyone can ultimately save their marriage if there are fundamental issues one or both parties cannot move past. If you believe a divorce is imminent, now is the time to begin taking the proper steps to ensure a smoother process.
Here are some tips for what you should do if divorce is on your marriage’s horizon:
- Consult with an experienced divorce attorney: Even if your divorce is amicable, you need to be educated about your legal rights and how to properly safeguard your future. Since divorce law can be complicated, the best way to go about this is by consulting with a divorce attorney.
- Obtain copies of pertinent documents: Divorce involves a lot of paperwork, so you are going to need copies of everything you can get your hands on from tax returns, bank statements, check registers, and retirement account statements to life insurance policies, credit card statements, and automobile titles.
- Document household and family possessions: Take note of all major items, including furniture, artwork, jewelry, appliances, and safe deposit box valuables.
- Know what your household’s budget is: This means keeping track of the cash you spend on a daily basis, so you can determine what your monthly expenditures are.
- Figure out how to manage marital debt: In addition to splitting marital assets, you will also have to share marital debt. If you and your spouse have debt, consider paying it down before the divorce since this item is one of the most difficult to negotiate. You should also try to determine if any of the debt was earned prior to the marriage. If so, this would not be considered marital debt.
These are just a few tips for you to consider. Your attorney will be able to help advise you on other necessary steps you will need to take for your particular situation.
Berkeley County Divorce Attorney
Divorce can be a contentious process, but even under the most amicable circumstances, it is necessary to have an attorney on your side. At Sutton & Janelle, PLLC, our Berkeley County divorce attorneys will guide you through your case until you are able to reach a smooth resolution.
Contact our office today at (304) 867-0049 to speak with a knowledgeable staff member.