Pre-Divorce Checklist

Thinking of getting a divorce? You would not be the first to get divorced in Cincinnati, nor the last. As stressful and frustrating as your individual circumstance may be, know that you are not alone. Thousands of individuals have gone through this exact same process of separation and divorce.

The key to a successful, frictionless divorce is preparation. A divorce attorney can help you understand what to expect in the weeks, months and years to come. But before you contact an attorney, there are a few things you can do.

In this blog post, we offer a pre-divorce checklist of things that you can do before starting the divorce process.

1. Learn About Your Legal Options

Everyone has a unique situation, and there are many ways to go about the separation. You can learn so much from other people and the media, but a divorce attorney will provide a clear picture of how you can resolve issues.

While an initial consultation with a lawyer will provide valuable information related to your specific situation, you can learn more about divorce online. On our website, for example, you can find helpful information about divorce laws in Ohio and how they may affect your case. Having knowledge about the law will empower you to make information decisions for you and for your family.

2. Prepare Your Finances

You may be tempted to pick up your personal belongings and start fresh. Divorce, however, is rarely this simple. In many cases, marital assets will be distributed between each spouse. Before you initiate divorce proceedings, you should collect information about all of your personal assets, finances, investments, real property, and debts. This information will give you and your attorney a clear picture of what you may be entitled to post-divorce.

In addition, you can begin to form a picture of what your financial situation will look like after a divorce. Living on your own means that you will no longer be sharing mortgage or rent payments, bills, groceries, and other living expenses. You can begin to account for these changes prior to separation so that you are not caught off guard.

3. Begin Discussions About Custody

If you are divorcing with children, it can be helpful to begin having discussions about visitation, parenting time, living arrangements, and other issues that will affect the wellbeing of your children.

Think through your children’s daily routines, their support groups, their education, and extracurricular activities. While you do not need to finalize a parenting plan prior to divorce, having a conversation about what it will look like can help smooth any disagreements that may arise when tensions are high.

4. Have An Open Discussion With Your Partner

Typically, the reasons for most divorces are unpleasant. Some of the most common causes of divorce include arguing frequently, lack of communication, and infidelity. If left unattended, the emotions can make the whole process unmanageable.

It would be best to deal with anger and resentment to avoid making the divorce negotiations challenging. Therefore, consider the help of a divorce coach, therapist, or divorce attorney to help you manage your emotions before the divorce process begins.

Schedule a Consultation with a Cincinnati Divorce Attorney Now

Divorce is not a straightforward process, and it may come with lots of financial and emotional stress. However, understanding how to prepare for a divorce can help you handle the process with less friction.

Do you need any legal assistance to navigate the divorce process? The divorce attorneys at Wagner & Bloch are ready to offer the support and representation to serve your best interests. Contact us online or call us at (513) 434-3926 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today.