Are you contemplating a divorce?
Whether you are in the beginning stages or your mind is already made up, we encourage you to consider these ten things before you proceed with a divorce. These suggestions are made generally and do not constitute specific legal advice. All cases and situations are different, so you should always consult with a family law attorney before taking any action that may impact your case.
If you have any questions about divorce or the divorce process in Maryland, please reach out. Wasserman Family Law is here to help.
Schedule a consultation with a trusted family law attorney. Your attorney will be your go-to resource and advocate throughout the divorce. Even if you are not ready to proceed with a divorce, it is important to understand your rights under the law and to prepare yourself for all potential outcomes.
Start organizing your financial documents. Your attorney will want to see these documents for the divorce. You can run a credit report to see what accounts are in your name. You should make a list of the financial accounts, assets, and liabilities you are aware of and the balances.
Keep an eye out for what is coming in the mail. If you do not know much about the family finances, you may want to pay attention to the mail that comes to your house. Make a note of what looks like it could be an account statement or a bill so your attorney can follow up on it at the appropriate time.
Secure personal property that is irreplaceable. If you have personal property that has sentimental value to you, make sure that it is stored safely, so that it cannot go missing after the divorce is underway. Do not sell any personal property before speaking to your attorney.
Determine what financial resources you have. You will need financial resources to pay your attorney and to support you and your dependents during the divorce. If you do not have access to your own funds, speak to your attorney about the various options for borrowing money or receiving gifts.
Create a new, personal email account. You will want a way to communicate with your attorney and other professionals during the divorce process. If you share an account with your spouse, you should consider creating a new account, so your conversations remain private and separate from your current email inbox.
Change passwords to important accounts. Similar to changing your email account, if your spouse knows your email or phone password, you may want to consider changing them.
Create a support system through a professional or a personal confidant. Divorce is emotional and challenging. We encourage you to find a therapist, family member, or close friend that can help support you throughout the process.
Start thinking about what you really want. Divorce can get messy fast. Think about what your priorities are and the things which you are willing to compromise. The last thing you want is to spend time and money arguing over something that is not important to you.
Proceed on your own timeline. Divorce is a serious, life-changing decision. Take the time to seek information, get a plan in place, and make the right decisions for you.
If you have questions about divorce in Maryland, contact Laurie Wasserman at laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com or 410-842-1070. The legal team at Wasserman Family Law is here to help guide and advocate for you.
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Disclaimer: Opinions and conclusions in these blog posts are solely those of the author unless otherwise indicated. The information contained in this blog is general in nature and is not offered and cannot be considered as legal advice for any particular situation. For legal advice, you should directly consult a lawyer to discuss the specific facts of your matter.
By reading this blog, you acknowledge that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the author.
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