How Do I Prepare For My Divorce?
Divorce is often ranked as one of life’s greatest challenges. If you are facing the ending of your marriage, there are a few things you can do, now, to make the legal process a little easier.
At Robertson, Oswalt, Nony & Associates, we represent clients in divorce and related proceedings. We invite you to read the information below or contact us to schedule a divorce consultation, where we can help you prepare for the divorce process.
Planning For The Financial Aspects Of Divorce
From a financial standpoint, it is important to secure and inventory your assets if you plan on getting a divorce. If you suspect that your spouse may empty a bank account, it is important to be proactive and do what you can to prevent that from happening. It is easier to be proactive than to have to do damage control later in the process.
Remember that all property acquired during the marriage — with very few exceptions — is considered marital property. This property is subject to division in divorce, even if both spouses’ names are not on the asset or even if only one spouse’s income was used to accrue the asset.
If your spouse is self-employed, it is wise to make copies of important information that may be kept on computer hard drives and in filing cabinets. This is your property just as it is your spouse’s property. A self-employed person often takes liberties, for tax reasons, in the way he or she reports business and personal income, and those methods of bookkeeping often do not apply to the determination of income or assets in the event of the divorce. For that reason, it is important to gather documents and information used to report revenue and other information about the value of the business, as early in the divorce process as possible.
Planning For Housing Changes
Divorce is life changing. One change that you may experience is having to move from your marital home. If you have children, you may spend less time with them and in a different location. Be ready for the possibility of looking for a new house or apartment.
Planning For Child Custody
To have a good case for joint custody, it goes without saying that staying involved in your child’s life is critically important. You should know all about your child’s life and day-to-day activities; you should know your child’s teachers’ names; you should know your child’s shoe size. Being an active and involved parent now, even if you work outside the home, can help ensure that the same happens after your divorce is finalized.
Questions? Talk To One Of Our Lawyers.
For more information or to schedule a time to meet with one of our attorneys in a consultation, please call 501-588-4451 or 866-311-3815. You may also complete our brief online form. From our office in Little Rock, we help spouses who want to get a divorce throughout Central Arkansas.