Yes, divorces have a reputation as massive, messy, headache-inducing catastrophes.  You’ve already probably heard a friend’s story about misfortunes surrounding his or her divorce proceedings.  Maybe you went through one in your family yourself and know firsthand how absurd divorces can really be.

Sometimes, though, getting a divorce can be exactly what is needed; in many people’s cases, it’s the next step they need to take towards getting their lives together.  And, in that light, sometimes divorces are really necessary.  Sometimes divorces are the first step towards personal clarity.

Our job is to make the process as painless and as beneficial for you as it can possibly be.  We know that divorces are hard, but there are steps you can take outside of getting an attorney that can help in making your divorce case just a little bit less complicated.

1. Open a separate banking account.

If you feel like you need to, you probably should.  A spouse can drain your joint bank account just as soon as the whiff of divorce is in the air, and you may not be able to recover that money until much later in the process, if at all.

2.  Do your homework.

Know that this process, if you want a satisfactory outcome, is probably going to take a good chunk of your time.  List your assets, gather your documentation, and take the time you need finding an attorney that is not only aggressive and well-prepared, but also in finding an attorney who is a good match for you and your case.  Give your attorney what is asked of you in a timely manner (i.e., expense worksheet and tax documents) so that he or she can take the time needed reviewing it and ensuring that it is correct. 

3.  If you’re ready to settle, go for it, but make sure you know what you need to know.

If you feel secure that you know what the assets are, or that you know what you are looking to get, let your attorney know immediately so that negotiations can begin and you can get things resolved sooner rather than later.  If you feel, however, that there may be something the other spouse is hiding (assets, debts, or an addiction for example), let your attorney know so you can start taking the steps you need to take to uncover what you need to before making a settlement offer.