It
is time to get to work. You didn't go into marriage anticipating divorce, but
now that you’ve made that choice, or been forced to make it you need to know
what to do. Although you may feel alone in the world and anticipating something
uniquely difficult the fact is that many people go through divorce every year
and there is a world of experience waiting to help you get through this part of
your life. Take it step by step and you can quickly put things back together,
move on and create the life you envision going forward.
- The
first thing you should do is organize your life and personal belongings.
Make a clean break by collecting a documented paper trail back to the
beginning of your marriage. Taxes, pay stubs, bank accounts, credit
accounts etc.
- Organize
this information and begin seeking legal counsel. Look for a local divorce
lawyer. Personal references are
a great way to initially find a lawyer. The internet is your next best
option.
- Visit
at least two law firms for a free consultation. You want different
perspectives as well as the chance to shop this job around in a search for
the best candidate. Consider yourself a boss giving a business interview.
- If
you are grieving there are social groups for divorced men and women
designed to help cope with this type of loss. Visit your local library or
church, and remember that the internet has lots of useful search tools.
Get smart, get
organized
As
you collect your belongings and start the separation process remember that
issues over personal assets and money will be front and center to your divorce.
Get those important documents and either make copies of everything, or bring
them along with you. If your spouse wants something from your list it is often
easier to give something back than it is to try and extract it later. Keep this
in mind with anything that might be contestable in court. It is ok to withdraw
up to half of a joint bank account and use it to start your own account, but
remember that taking everything and disappearing for awhile will not be looked
on kindly by a judge and can even be quite illegal. It is better to behave
yourself and let things play out through the skillful eyes of an experienced localdivorce attorney.
Finding a great lawyer
Lawyers
usually specialize in one area of law. Your goal now is to find an attorney
that practices family law, and more specifically divorce for men, or women. One
of the best ways to find a lawyer is through a personal referral, so ask
someone you know who has gone through a divorce. The internet continues to
expand its tools for finding what you need. Many websites offer reviews of
legal teams, so do a little digging and see what people are saying about your
local law firms. Visit more than one to get several perspectives on your case,
and choose the legal team that inspires the most confidence in you.
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