When the decision to end a marriage is made, there are several things Washington residents may want to do to protect themselves. While an amicable divorce is often possible, there is no harm in being prepared for the “what-if” scenarios.
Here are some crucial steps to take after deciding to get a divorce so that you can walk away from your marriage in a better place.
3 ways to be prepared
1. Secure your finances. Many couples have shared lines of credit and shared savings accounts. This is usually not a bad thing, but it can be when getting a divorce. A spouse can quickly destroy the other’s credit by racking up debt on credit cards and emptying savings accounts. Closing joint accounts or requesting that both account holder signatures be required for withdrawals as soon as possible is usually in your best interests.
2. Seek out the right advice. Some couples are adamant about keeping their divorces out of court and their legal expenses to a minimum by negotiating settlement terms on their own. There is nothing wrong with this approach; however, there is also nothing wrong with asking an experienced family law attorney to at least review any proposed settlement terms. This way, you can make sure you get the best deal possible.
3. Do your best to remain calm. Divorce is emotionally challenging. It’s not uncommon for divorcing spouses to struggle to contain their negative emotions. However, accusatory social media posts and heated verbal arguments may end up affecting the final outcome of your divorce. As hard as it may be, aim to keep things civil whenever possible and always choose your battles carefully.
Be proactive with your divorce
Divorce, even when it seems amicable, is not easy. There are many moving pieces involved and many difficult decisions you and your spouse will have to work together on. By taking steps early on to protect yourself, you can ensure you’re ahead of the game when the formal dissolution process begins.