Things to Do If You Are Thinking About A Divorce

If you are thinking about a divorce, it must mean that you are not as happy as you think you should be. Before you take the leap to divorce court, keep in mind that divorce is not an event, but a process. There are some things you can do while you are still thinking about it.

Things to Do When Thinking About a Divorce

• Talk over your concerns with a counselor or therapist.  It may help you get the direction you need in deciding whether to pursue a divorce.
• Interview attorneys. You want to work with a lawyer who will always work on behalf of your best interest while also working on behalf of the best interest of the children and keeping in mind that you will have a future relationship with your ex-spouse if you have children together.
• Ask an attorney how to deal with joint bank accounts and credit cards. Neither you nor your spouse should maximize the credit cards or close bank accounts.
• Gather your important documents. This may include your mortgage contract, bank account information, car loan contracts, phone records, charge card information, contact information for schools if you have children, and any other document that is relevant to your daily life.
• Take a serious inventory of all your assets and liabilities. Remember to include all real estate, personal items like jewelry, valuable art, musical instruments, retirement accounts, etc. This will help you determine how you will manage budgets for two households. Also, Texas is a community property state which means that all property acquired during the marriage is, with few exceptions, divided equally between the two spouses.
• Think about the children and how will you handle shared time with them. What is in their best interest? Which parent will they live with most of the time? How will you deal with their extra-curricular activities?
• Consider where you will live. Do you want to stay in the family home, or move to a new place? Look around at apartments or houses to see what your options are.
• Develop a support group. Even the least stressful divorce is generally stressful. It helps if you have someone you can use as a sounding board and who you can lean on during the difficult times.

Attorney, Daniel Abasolo at Springer & Lyle can help you through the divorce process in a way that reduces animosity and helps you make decisions that are in the best interests of the entire family.  Contact us at 940-387-0404 to schedule your family law consultation with one of our experienced family law attorneys.