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Going through a divorce or legal separation can be stressful, complicated, and overwhelming.
If you have decided to divorce or your spouse has stated their intention to end the marriage, you will undoubtedly be thinking about the steps you should take to get through this difficult process as quickly as possible. This is where a family attorney in Tampa will be indispensable with his or her sound, practical advice. In general, here are a few of the common ways to prepare for divorce.
The more organized you are entering the divorce process, the better off you will be in terms of making sound decisions as you go through the process. These decisions can affect you and your children for years to come. And they can also affect the quality of your negotiations and resulting settlement agreement.
If you choose a competent family attorney to guide you through the proceedings, they’ll help with how to financially prepare for divorce negotiations, but some advanced organizing will go a long way.
Try to work with your spouse to make a list of finances. This should include assets and debts, as well as copies of all financial records such as your most recent pay stubs, federal and state tax returns, W2s, bank account statements, brokerage account statements, credit card statements, insurance policies, retirement accounts, mortgage statements, car loan statements, etc.
A family attorney will advise you to create a current marital living budget so that you understand what your monthly expenses were living together and what your projected monthly expenses will be after the divorce, when you are living in separate households.
Divorce can be so upsetting or overwhelming that it might be tempting to ignore it and procrastinate. However, do not be a passive observer of your divorce process. Listen to your family attorney, but be prepared to make your own decisions. The easiest way through a divorce is to take an active role in the process, even if you are not the initiator. This will help you reach a better settlement, and your divorce will likely take less time and cost less money.
Try to stay focused on the big picture. Decisions you make during the divorce process will affect you and your children for years to come, so don’t get caught up in fighting over details. If you and your family attorney focus on your future, you’ll have a much better chance of not only divorcing amicably, but obtaining a settlement you will be comfortable with.