Before a divorce, many factors must be considered. Five of the most crucial are as follows:
- Tie up loose ends, i.e. finalize any pending purchases or sales. As soon as the divorce process begins, the judge will automatically issue an order prohibiting the purchase or sale of marital property. This is done to ensure joint bank accounts aren’t drained of funds right before dissolution of the marriage. It is also used to prevent any potential acts of spite by one or both spouses. Accordingly, if you wish to buy, sell, or otherwise dispose of marital property you must do so prior to entering the divorce process.
- Gather documentation to support your case. At the foundation of any divorce case is documentation. When dissolving a marriage, the court will look at mortgage statements, financial account records, car notes, phone bills, etc. Anything relevant to the divorce may be subject for review. Before your divorce, collect as many records of your shared accounts as possible. This will better prepare you for the proceedings to come.
- Tend to joint bank accounts and / or credit cards. In some cases, it may be wise to close a joint bank account or credit currently shared with your spouse. A divorce involving a drained bank account and / or unpaid credit card bills could take substantially longer to complete than a standard, uncontested divorce. Closing joint accounts may help prevent this from happening. A divorce lawyer can review your situation to help you determine the best course of action regarding your shared accounts and credit cards.
- Establish custody goals. If you have children, determining custody will be very important in your divorce. The more you and your spouse can agree on your goals for custody, the smoother the entire process will be. If possible, the two of you should discuss finances, work schedules, and other factors that will impact your children once the divorce is finalized. Entering the process with a mutual custody goal in mind is the best way to smoothly and quickly finalize the final dissolution of your marriage.
- Talk to an attorney. The right divorce attorney will understand your goals and help you work toward them as amicably as possible. Divorce is difficult, and you shouldn’t go through it alone. As you consider divorce, also consider meeting with a lawyer to discuss specific details related to your situation. Together, the two of you can determine the best way to move forward with your case.
If you and your spouse have decided to end the marriage, Goldblatt, Marquett & Rashba, P.C. is here to help. Founded in 1950, we know how to effectively handle family law cases of every nature, and we’re prepared to help you take the right steps to successfully complete your divorce in Connecticut. Contact a Hamden divorce attorney at (203) 288-6293to learn more.