Posted by Gurjit Srai In Divorce January 8, 2020 0 Comment

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately half of all marriages end in divorce in the United States. During this stressful andSteps to take before filing for divorce tumultuous time, it is important that you make sure you have considered all options and set a strong foundation for your divorce before you initiate the proceeding. Below are five important steps you should consider before asking for a divorce in order to make sure the process is smoother and possibly less adversarial.

Make Sure You Actually Want a Divorce

Marriage is not easy. Two individuals with different viewpoints on life are bound to disagree. Emotions can run high when you are dealing with difficult decisions and serious issues during your marriage. Making the decision to file for divorce can start as an emotional one during these difficult times. As such, before you make the decision, it is important to make sure you actually want to end your marriage. Once you serve divorce papers, it may be difficult to change courses.

Take Inventory of Your Financial Situation

Before you file for divorce, it is important to take a serious look and inventory of your finances. You should take pictures of everything you have and go through your safety deposit box. You should also make note of items that may be value to you, but have no financial value, such as yearbooks and pictures. Consider changing passwords to any separate bank accounts. You should also create a spreadsheet of your assets and debts. Understanding your financial situation can help you budget for your divorce and your life after divorce.

Set Your Child Custody Goals

Your children are most likely the most important concern as you begin to prepare filing for divorce. Courts generally favor ordering joint custody of children to both spouses, barring egregious circumstances. Since co-parenting is very likely as part of your divorce, it is important for you to attempt to make the divorce process more amicable.

Create a Strong Support Network

Creating a strong foundation of friends and family to support you is an important part of preparing for divorce. Having a strong network to rely upon during your divorce process can help you gear up for what could be one of the most stressful times in your life.

Meet with an Experienced Central Divorce Attorney

One of the most important steps you should take before seeking divorce is to consult with an experienced divorce attorney who can help you understand your legal rights. A good attorney can help you determine the course of action you should take to best suit your needs. Your attorney can also guide you on finances, child custody, alimony, and how best to move forward in your particular situation.

Call an Experienced Central Valley Divorce Attorney

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with Central Valley divorce attorney Gurjit Srai, please call (209) 323-5558 or (559) 314-2796, or complete our online form.