How to Prepare for Getting a Divorce

When you meet the love of your life and get married, divorce is the last thing on your mind. However, as time goes on and people change, your marriage may not be what it was several years ago.

While it can be very difficult, if you think there is a chance that you or your partner may file for divorce, there are several steps you should take in order to prepare and set yourself and your family up for the most successful future possible.

Tips for Preparing for Divorce

Speak to a Divorce Lawyer

In a perfect world, you and your spouse would be able to file for divorce and split your assets amicably without the need for any lawyers or mediators. Unfortunately, this is rarely how divorces proceed.

Between dividing financial assets, working through heavy emotions, and keeping children (if you have them) as a priority, the divorce process can be complicated and stressful. It’s best to have an experienced divorce attorney on your side to fight for your interests and help guide you through the process.

Understand the Filing Process

Under Tennessee law, a judge may grant you a divorce for a number of reasons, such as your spouse cheated on you or they became violent or addicted to substances after you were married. However, our state also allows for "no fault" divorce in some cases based on irreconcilable differences between the parties.

Even so, it’s essential to have a divorce lawyer on your side who can help you gather all evidence as to why your divorce should be granted as well as walk you through the filing process and filling out the right state divorce forms.

Prepare Your Children

Divorce can be hard enough on you and your spouse, but it’s often even harder on your children who often won’t understand why their parents are splitting up. You can better prepare them for your divorce by:

divorce is their fault and that their lives are going to be better after the divorce — this is especially important if they witness and are affected by tension between you and your spouse.

Try to Maintain Normalcy

Even if you and your spouse are separated during your divorce process, try to maintain a sense of normalcy for the sake of your children. Keep up with after-school activities and playdates and stick to the same rules at either parent’s home.

Protect Your Finances

Handling finances tends to be one of the most stressful parts of the divorce process. In order to make this task easier, consider doing the following:

Build Good Credit

If you plan on filing for divorce, spend a few months trying to improve your individual credit by paying off debts where possible.

Sort Out Bank Accounts

Open your own private accounts that only you will have access to. You’ll want to also take this time to identify your cash resources to help cover the costs of divorce.

Plan a Post-Divorce Budget

Even with spousal and child support, you’ll be switching to a single-income household. List out your expenses and sources of income so you can carefully budget what you’ll be able to spend once you’re divorced.

Watch Your Behavior

While you may be feeling upset, angry, or frustrated during the divorced process — especially if you’re going through a highly-contested divorced — it’s essential to avoid making behavioral choices that can affect your split.

Some behaviors to avoid can include:

• Speaking poorly about your ex to your children, mutual friends, or on social media

• Making large financial purchases that affect both your finances

• Jumping into a new relationship or having an affair before you’re officially divorced

• Being verbally or physically abusive to your ex or children

All these behaviors can negatively affect the final terms of your divorce and cause you to lose out on financial support or child custody.

Expert Divorce Attorneys in Tipton County

When you’re heading toward divorce, you’ll want an expert team on your side to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your children.