Filing for divorce can be a very daunting process, but if you are prepared it can be a lot smoother. Starting with finding the right family law attorney for your case, you can make sure that you are fully prepared for your divorce by the time you file. Our Woodlands family law attorneys at Parchman Law Group P.L.L.C. share how you can prepare for your divorce filing.
Finding A Family Law Attorney
One of the first steps you should take when preparing to file for divorce is to find a family law attorney. When searching for a family law attorney, you should search for attorneys in your area and read reviews. If you have friends who have recently divorced, you can also ask them if they would recommend their divorce attorneys or if they have had good experiences with other attorneys.
Once you compile a list of attorneys in your area you are interested in learning more about, you should then schedule consultations. At your consultation, you can learn more about their approach, ask questions about your specific case, and get a general idea of if you would like to continue working with them. Once you select your desired attorney, you can move forward with the process of filing for divorce.
Compiling All Necessary Documents
During your divorce, you may be asked by your attorney to provide specific documents for their use. To help with this process, it is recommended that you start to compile and organize these documents early so the documents can be retrieved when needed.
You should find and include:
- Banking statements for the past five years,
- Statements outlining debt, such as car payments, student loans, and personal debt,
- Deeds of ownership for your home or any property you may own,
- Car titles,
- Receipts of purchase for major assets, and
- Tax documents for the past five years.
This list is not exhaustive and you can add specific documents that you feel are best for your situation. Your attorney may also request that you add specific items to your search that can benefit them.
After you’ve found all of these documents, it is important to keep them well organized so you can access them when needed. If your documents are physical and printed on paper, you can organize them in a series of folders or a binder with page protectors. If your documents are digital, make sure to keep an extra electronic copy on a backup drive for preservation.
Preparing Your Bank Accounts
During your divorce, you may need to close all joint bank accounts. To help protect yourself early on in the process, you can check to see if you have granted access to any of your personal bank accounts to your spouse. If you have granted access to your personal accounts, you can ask your bank to remove your spouse as an authorized user or you can always open new banking accounts for yourself without any authorized users included.
The money split from your bank accounts in the division of assets will need to be deposited into an account where only you can access it. This is why it is vital that you have bank accounts created and ready for this purpose. However, these accounts should not be created so you can “hide” money before the division of assets process begins, which can bring serious financial consequences if you are caught.
Discussing the Divorce With Your Spouse
If you have not yet discussed divorce with your spouse, now is the time to do so. While you do not have an obligation to discuss divorce with your spouse before you file, having a conversation regarding your preparation to file for divorce and why you wish to divorce can be a helpful experience for you as you pursue this process. It might help your spouse begin the preparation process themself or discuss reconciliation before you begin the divorce process.
Take The First Steps With Us Today
At Parchman Law Group P.L.L.C., we understand that it can be overwhelming as you begin your divorce. Our divorce attorneys are here to support you as you choose your attorney, compile information, and fill out your filing documents, all the way to your divorce’s finalization.
Are you trying to begin the divorce process? Schedule a consultation with our team today to learn more about how you can prepare for filing for divorce.