How to Prepare For Your Divorce in Texas

Going through a divorce is likely to be one of the most anxiety-ridden experiences you will ever face. While the process itself is difficult enough, the prospect of your future after the divorce can be even more frightening. There are some things you can do now in anticipation of your divorce that can both protect your interests during the proceeding and put you in a more advantageous situation after it has been finalized.

At Jeremy J. Poet Law Firm, PLLC, we represent clients in all aspects of Sherman divorce and family law. We work hard to ensure that our clients are as prepared as they can possibly be for the issues they will face during and after divorce. The following is a brief checklist of some of the things you can do as you are preparing for divorce:

• Create an inventory of your separate property: You have a right to keep any assets you brought into the marriage that you purchased with your own money. Make a list of everything that is yours. If possible, find the purchase agreements that show you as the sole purchaser.
• Gather all the information you can about your spouse’s finances: Some spouses try to keep their actual income secret or will buy property without the other spouse’s knowledge. By locating business documents, pay stubs, bank statements, employment agreements and other information, you can help ensure that your marital property interests are protected.
• Make a list of all assets and debts: Compile a comprehensive inventory of everything you and your spouse own together, including bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, vehicles and personal property. Do not forget to document all debts as well, including credit card balances, mortgages, car loans and student loans. Student loan debt can be particularly complex in divorce, as it may remain with the person who incurred the education debt or become part of marital obligations depending on when it was acquired and how it was used during the marriage. Gather account statements, loan documents and appraisals for major assets like homes or businesses. This documentation will be crucial for accurate property division and help prevent hidden assets from going undetected.
• Think about your parenting goals and arrangements: If you have children, consider what custody and visitation schedule would work best for your family’s situation. Think about your children’s daily routines, school schedules, extracurricular activities and which parent has historically handled different responsibilities. Having clear ideas about parenting time will help your attorney negotiate arrangements that serve your children’s best interests while protecting your relationship with them.
• Avoid major life changes: Resist the urge to make significant decisions like moving away, changing jobs or making large purchases during the divorce process. Courts may view dramatic changes suspiciously, and major financial decisions could complicate property division. Moving away from your children could negatively impact custody arrangements, while job changes might affect spousal support calculations. Wait until after the divorce is finalized to make major purchases, career moves or relationship decisions. Even seemingly positive changes like promotions or new relationships can complicate legal proceedings and create unnecessary complications during an already stressful time.
• Evaluate your job skills: After a divorce, you will be on your own and, at some point, will need to provide for yourself. It is important that your job skills are up to date so you can find a well-paying job. Now is the time to evaluate your job skills and determine if you need further training. This could also inform our strategy with regard to seeking spousal support.
• Make arrangements for a place to live: Whether you plan to stay in the marital home, stay with family for a period of time or find a place of your own, it is important that you start preparing and making arrangements now with the help of an experienced family law attorney who can help you protect your interest.
• Seek emotional support: Divorce creates significant emotional stress that can affect your decision-making and overall well-being. Consider working with a counselor, therapist or support group to help you process your feelings and develop healthy coping strategies. Having proper emotional support will help you make clearer decisions throughout the legal process and better prepare you for your post-divorce life.

Discuss Your Divorce Questions With A Qualified North Texas Lawyer

Please contact our Sherman office to discuss your divorce questions with an attorney. We will provide a thorough review of your situation and explain what we can do to help you. You can contact our Sherman office by calling 903-357-5269, or via email by completing the form below.