This is the second to last in a series of tips for individuals who are considering separating from their spouse, and ultimately, divorcing them. Many of the steps that I have provided in this series are geared toward preparing you for litigating your case, but I need to stress that I believe strongly in keeping…
Category Archives: Divorce Tips
How to prepare for divorce tip #11: Who moves?
Today’s divorce tip involves a commonly asked question, especially in North Carolina – Who moves? I encourage all of my clients to at least consider the possibility of a collaborative divorce, and if you go that route, this is one of the many issues that can get worked out during the “four-way” meetings that are…
How to prepare for divorce tip #10: Avoid additional Debt of Major Purchases
One of the biggest mistakes I see divorcing couples make is piling on additional debt after they separate, thinking that their spouse is responsible for one-half of this new debt. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In North Carolina, the courts will look at the amount of debt you, as a couple, have incurred…
How to prepare for divorce tip #9: Credit Cards and Lines of Credit
This is the ninth in a series of tips about what you should do to prepare for a divorce or separation. I believe strongly in the collaborative divorce process, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t prepare for the worst. I was a boy scout, and our motto was “be prepared”. If you are considering…
How to prepare for divorce tip #8: Assess Your Financial Situation
This is Tip #8 of a series of articles on how to prepare yourself for divorce. Today’s tip assumes that you already have been able to gather all of the financial statements for your marital accounts, and at least make copies of those statements. Now, your job is to determine what to do with all…
How to prepare for divorce tip #7: Establish Your Own Credit
Regardless of whether you choose to conduce a Collaborative Divorce or go the route of the courts, I would encourage anyone pursuing a separation or divorce to make sure they have some credit in their name. I’ve had numerous clients come to see me over the years that don’t have access to credit cards, and…
How to prepare for divorce tip #6: Document and Safeguard your Property
This is the sixth in a series of tips I am publishing to help people who are considering separating from their spouse or divorce. While I believe strongly in the collaborative divorce process, there are times where you must take steps to protect yourself. This series is meant to help you protect your legal rights…
How to prepare for divorce tip #5: Prepare a Budget
Whether you are considering a Collaborative Divorce (which I recommend) or an “old school” divorce, which only really benefits the lawyers involved, I would strongly suggest that you start to develop your budget. One of the great things about the Collaborative process is that this budget will be “forward looking” as opposed to “backward looking”. …
How to prepare for divorce tip #4: Photocopy all the financial records
Although I believe strongly that the collaborative process is the right approach for nearly all divorcing couples, I can understand that when you first begin thinking about divorce, the gut reaction is going to be to circle the wagons and get ready. That is why I have included photocopying the financial records as tip #4. …
How to Prepare for divorce tip #3: Account for the Family Finances
In this third of a series of “How to Prepare for Divorce” Tips, I recommend that you begin gathering information about your families finances. One of the primary functions of the divorce process is to make a division of the assets and debts of the marriage. In order to get a fair division, you must…