Getting a divorce can be emotionally devastating as well as physically and mentally exhausting. When a marriage ends, along with the emotional pains, it demands mounds of paperwork, dealing with debts and property divisions, and a rigorous process that can be overwhelming.
Various factors, like if the divorce is contested or uncontested, the waiting period, the involvement of children, etc., can affect the length of the divorce process. Luckily, the online divorce process has made divorce preparation simpler than ever.
It’s always best to be emotionally, mentally, and financially prepared. To help you, here are a few tips.
Prepare the basics: Gather all the documents related to your marriage, including legal agreements like prenuptial, postnuptial, separation-related agreements, etc. Moreover, you should have all the financial documents and the latest tax returns ready beforehand.
Also, understand what your divorce type is!
No two divorces are the same because no two marriages are the same. However, there can be certain procedures that have similar steps. So, before filing a divorce, the couple should be clear about what kind of divorce they are having, as the process will differ for a contested and uncontested divorce.
A contested divorce is when the parties don’t agree about getting divorced or some terms of the divorce. The case will have to be contested in front of a judge in court.
On the contrary, uncontested divorce is when both parties mutually agree on the divorce and related conditions.
There are no-fault or fault-based divorces. As the name suggests, no-fault divorce is when the marriage can not continue due to irreconcilable differences. On the contrary, fault divorces are when there is wrong-doing by one of the spouses, like abuse, an affair, etc.
So, you must be clear on the basics, as these will shape the divorce process.
Learn about the online divorce process: If you have an uncontested divorce, you can choose the online divorce process. It is an easy and affordable way to get your divorce papers prepared. To be clear, filing for divorce over the internet doesn’t mean you can get a divorce decree online. Only a judge can grant a divorce. It is a convenient and fast way to get all the required divorce forms prepared without lawyers.
This option is available if you and your spouse can agree on all the factors like grounds for divorce, spousal support or alimony, child custody, property division, etc.
Apart from saving time, there are several other benefits if you complete a divorce online. The most significant of them is the reduced cost of divorce!
Prepare the finances: There are certain costs associated with divorce. Other than the filing fees, other aspects need consideration. The total cost of divorce will depend on many factors. Apart from the divorce process, child care, alimony, spousal support, many other expenses add up. Hence, it’s vital that you know where you stand financially and how much cash you have in hand. Make sure you are in financially stable condition before and during the divorce proceeding.
Hire an attorney: If you are having an uncontested divorce or no-fault divorce, you can apply for the divorce yourself. In such a scenario, you can complete the DIY divorce process without an attorney but with the help of online divorce companies. One such company is onlinearkansasdivorce.com.
But for all other types, you will have to hire a lawyer to fight for your rights and interests in court. Consult with a few attorneys and choose the one you are most comfortable with. You will have to be transparent and open in front of your lawyer, so make sure you are at ease with them.
Stay cautious with the friendly advice: Divorce laws vary from state to state, and the divorce process also varies, depending upon the type of divorce. Hence, it is not a good idea to plan everything based on the advice of your friends and family members. They might have your best interests at heart but getting professional guidance through divorce companies or attorneys is a must.
Be prepared to handle the resistance: In case of no-fault or uncontested divorce, the information exchange is cordial, but in other cases, your spouse may not want to release all the documents. Even in the case of uncontested divorce, expect some unfriendly incidences. So, in all cases, being prepared with all the requirements, documents, and paperwork is recommended.
Prepare your children: Your children may have a hard time dealing with your divorce. You can help them by treating them as equals, talking to them, and understanding their expectations. Uncontested divorces are far more relaxing for children. That is because the bitterness and blame game is lower. Reach out to your children, tell them that you are there and their routines will not be impacted. Make sure they know that your love for them will not be compromised.
Handle your emotions: You will have to monitor and handle your emotions because you will experience a range of ups and downs during the process. You may have to seek professional help through a counselor or a therapist. So, prepare yourself emotionally before you go ahead with the process. In the absence of professional help, people tend to indulge in self-medication, alcohol, or getting involved with wrong and temporary partners. This may give you temporary relief but can be disastrous in the long run.
Spend time with friends and family: Even if you are involved in an uncontested divorce, it can still be stressful, which may affect your well-being. So it is important to surround yourself with friends, family, or confidantes. If they know they will be your support system, you can communicate and express your feelings to them. Expressing and taking out your stress and frustration is crucial. Your close ones will help you alleviate some of the stress by listening to you or distracting you.
Keep your head cool: Be it the divorce process, child custody, debt obligations, property divisions, or any other thing, deal practically with a cool head. More than any other property, we tend to have a strong attachment to our homes. Do let the emotions rule your mind, or else you may lose other good properties just to keep you home because of your emotions. Get professional help to evaluate the worth of all the properties and then try to agree on the division mutually. The more struggles, the less harmonious the process will be.
Conclusion
No one expects to end up having a divorce, but things don’t always turn in our favor. Dissolution of marriage is a challenge in itself, do not make the process more challenging for yourself. So, when you know divorce is just around the corner, try using the above tips. These will help you get prepared and protect your rights.