In addition to the emotional process of separating your life from your ex, divorce affects your finances, living arrangements and other personal relationships.
As you prepare for divorce, look for ways to make the process a little less daunting.
1. Gather financial information
Gather all information regarding your joint and individual financial accounts. Records regarding bank statements, tax returns, investments, assets, debts and everything else that informs your financial situation are important. The court will require this information from both of you. If you do not have an individual bank account or credit card, open both and begin establishing your own credit.
2. Consider your living arrangements
Decide if you and your ex can live together amicably during the divorce process. Keep in mind that divorce is not a quick process and may take longer than you expect. If you cannot agree on who will remain in the shared home during the process and who will need to find other living arrangements, you could request the court grant one of you access until property division occurs later in the process.
3. Establish a support system
Divorce is a stressful process that often leads to anger and resentment. Determine friends and family you can confide in to vent your frustrations or blow off steam so that you avoid bringing your anger into the courtroom or blowing up at your ex in front of your children.
Preparing for divorce is also a good time to look at your will and any documents that list your ex as a beneficiary. You may not be able to remove them until the divorce is final, but you can prepare to do so as soon as legally allowed.
