While no one gets married anticipating that the marriage will end, you may see your divorce coming long before it’s filed. In order to guarantee that the process is smooth and the transition is as easy as possible mentally, financially and emotionally, it’s important to plan ahead for a divorce. This can minimize stress and anxiety on you, your spouse and your children and guarantee that the legal process is quick and easy.
Before you file for divorce, if you and your spouse are on friendly terms, sit down together and come up with a plan. If this isn’t possible, you can make your own plan to organize and carry out your divorce.
Discuss retirement
Since you planned to grow old together, you’ve likely planned for some type of retirement to provide financially after you are done working. During your divorce, you’ll need to determine what happens to these assets. Depending on how long you are married and how old you are, you may also be eligible to receive some of your spouse’s social security benefits.
Compile a list of expenses
Make a list of what it will cost to end your marriage. Court fees, attorney fees and relocation fees may be factored into this equation. To limit fighting over finances once the process starts, try to determine who will be responsible for what.
Consider going back to school or getting a job
If you have been the primary caretaker of the children during your marriage, you may have given up your dreams of getting an education or having a career. As reality sets in and you are forced to consider how to support yourself after the end of your marriage, you may consider going back to school or getting a job. The earlier you start looking and making decisions, the less stress you will have after the divorce is filed.
Find a place to live
If your spouse is moving out, you must figure out how to make the house payment on your own. You may get alimony and child support, but there may be additional expenses you have to cover. If the house is being sold or you are the one moving out, you’ll need to find a new place to live that fits in your budget and accommodates your children.
While it’s emotionally difficult to consider the end of a marriage, the reality is that you must logically plan for your own future to guarantee that you are protected and can care for yourself and your children. No matter how old you are, it can benefit you to have a plan before you file for divorce, and an attorney may be able to help you with that.
