How Can I Prepare for My Divorce?

 Posted on September 27, 2023 in Uncategorized

You have decided that divorce is the right step for you, but how should you move forward now? Divorce does not have to be terrible, and in fact, many people can feel an enormous sense of relief once it is over. However, if you want a desirable outcome in your divorce settlement, coming prepared is the best thing you do. A DuPage County, IL divorce attorney can explain all the aspects of a divorce to help you prepare as best you can.

Where Do I Even Begin?

The first thing you should do if you are convinced that divorce is in your future is to find a lawyer to represent you and your best interests. You should seek a law firm that has experience dealing with divorce. If there are any special circumstances about your divorce - for example, if you have young children, if this will be a high-asset divorce, if you and your spouse co-own a business - you will want to make sure the law firm you chose has dealt with similar cases in the past. 

People often seek out an attorney who has experience with their specific type of case, can provide realistic expectations for what will happen, and will communicate compassionately with their clients while fighting aggressively for their interests.

Once you have found a lawyer you feel comfortable with, they will guide you to prepare for your upcoming divorce in the following ways:

• Start thinking about what kind of divorce settlement you want (in terms of parental responsibilities, child support, and spousal support) and whether that is reasonable and realistic.

• Calculate your family’s regular expenses to figure out how much it costs to maintain your household.

• Calculate any debt your marriage may have incurred.

• See how you may be able to improve your credit score.

• Think about where you envision you (and your children) living after divorce, and see whether that is financially realistic.

• Gather all important financial documents (including recent tax returns, bank statements, and any retirement or savings account reports).

• If you have valuable personal items (jewelry, family heirlooms, art, etc.), start making an inventory list or even photographing these items.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Wheaton, IL Divorce Lawyer

It can be stressful knowing your marriage is about to end. Whether this is your choice or you believe your spouse may be preparing to file for divorce, there can be countless questions going through your mind. An experienced DuPage County, IL divorce attorney can help put your mind at ease a bit by walking you through what the process might look like and giving you a list of things to make sure you are doing now. Call Goostree Law Group at 630-364-4046 today to schedule a free consultation and get you started on your path.