No single set of advice applies to every case. That said, there are some general ways everyone can prepare for divorce.

2. Attorneys are subject to a variety of rules, regulations, and stipulations
when it comes to offering divorce and legal advice. Without an actual
consultation, we can’t offer any concrete divorce legal advice. Beyond
that, every situation is different. No single recommendation will fit
every case. Without examining the specifics, it’s impossible to suggest
how to proceed.

3. However, if you’re heading towards divorce, there are steps you can take ahead of time to
streamline the process and better prepare. Not an all-encompassing list by any means, here
are some actions you can take to simplify the divorce process and increase your chances for
an optimal outcome.

4. Purely for informational purposes, this will hopefully provide a better
understanding of how to approach the divorce process.

5. Depending on which state you live in, the divorce laws can vary a great deal. Perhaps the best
piece of divorce and legal advice out there is to familiarize yourself with the specifics of your
home state. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be.

6. For example, Oregon is an equitable distribution state. What this means
is that property acquired during a marriage is viewed as belonging to the
spouse who earned it. In divorce, it will be divided in a fair and equitable
manner between you and your ex. This is just one of many laws that may
be different. It will benefit you and your case to learn the particular
regulations where you live.

7. If there are children involved in your divorce, things often become increasingly complicated. As
this can be a long, contentious legal process, you may want to create a plan to make sure they are
cared for. Examine the rules and regulations governing child custody and child support in your
state.

8. Your kids have the same needs and require the same care during and after
a divorce as they did before. It may be in your and their best interest to
prepare and implement a parenting plan during this time. If nothing else,
knowing they will be adequately looked after is one less detail for you to
stress about in an already stressful time.

9. Divorce can be an expensive proposition. That probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
At the very least, even in the most straightforward cases, there are fees for filing paperwork.
And the more complicated the divorce, the more legal expenses you collect.

10. Appearing in court, responding to motions, child and spousal support,
division of property, and more all come with a price tag. Setting up a new
household costs money. Divorce attorneys and legal advice don’t come
cheap. It’s too easy to lose sight of the day-to-day expenses. One of the
most important steps you can take is to set money aside to help cover
unexpected costs.

11. Divorce is a complicated process, and the devil, as they say, is very much in the details. Over the
course of dissolving your marriage, the court will need access to various documents. Information
flows between you, your spouse, attorneys, judges, and more. You’ll need to fill out forms, file
claims, and respond to those filed against you. It’s possible you’ll face multiple appearances in
court or with mediators. Your schedule can quickly become an intricate puzzle of places to be and
hoops to jump through.

12. Being organized throughout is a key part of preparing for your case. If
everything is ordered and arranged, you won’t have to hunt for a particular
form or stress out about when and where you have to appear. It may seem
like a hassle at first, but being prepared is advice that will serve you well.

13. An extension of being organized is to get your financial records in order. Division of property
forms a significant chunk of the divorce settlement. This is where the court distributes all of
the shared resources. As such, it has a huge impact on your financial future. You’ll need to
disclose all of your assets and debts, and it will help you to have all the appropriate
documents ready to hand over. This will save you time and hassle.

14. Catalog all of your known bank accounts, 401ks, pensions, insurance
policies, and tax records for at least the past few years. List all of your
debts, including car loans, mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and
anywhere else you owe. Collect all of your substantial assets, like cars,
homes, real estate, jewelry, furniture, and any other big-ticket items. It
may be helpful to break down your time, work, and financial
contributions to the marriage. All of this can influence how the court
divides property in your divorce, and being organized will only be a
legal boon.

15. Divorce may be the most chaotic, stressful, emotionally trying time of your life. Ending a
marriage represents a titanic shift in your daily existence. You may well need back up if you’re
going to make it through in one piece. Even if you don’t want to broadcast the sordid details
of your case, it may be nice to have a support system in place.

16. Knowing who you can turn to and rely on is important. For emotional
support. For financial support. Instead of divorce or legal advice, maybe
you just need someone to watch the kids while you meet with an attorney
or appear in court. This can be family, friends, or legal professionals. You
can also turn to one of the many groups designed to help or offer advice
to people going through similar divorce situations. Simply knowing you’re
not alone can be a welcome sensation.

17. We’ve said it many times thus far, but divorce is a process. It is, however, one that ends. Stuck
in the middle, it’s easy to become consumed and lose sight of what comes next. There’s
nothing wrong with simply wanting to get this over and done with and move on. At the same
time, it’s never too early to consider the next step.

18. What comes next? The whole point of divorce is to move forward.
Sometimes it’s enough just to move away from a negative situation. But
what you’re heading towards is also important. A light at the end of the
tunnel can be a huge motivating factor.

19. Beyond that, you have a lot to consider. Your legal and financial situation after divorce is a whole
new world. Your tax status changes, you may face child or spousal support, or even just paying all
of the bills from a single paycheck for the first time in years. You may want to create a budget to
regulate your spending or seek out financial, as well as legal advice during your divorce.

20. Getting a divorce doesn’t automatically impact financial agreements
you and your spouse entered into while married. If you don’t take
steps to make sure these obligations are covered, it can negatively
impact your credit. If you have children, custody arrangements may
play into your post-marriage life. And all of this is just the beginning.

21. This is vague and general and only provides a wider view of how to prepare for the dissolution
of marriage. But if you enlist the services of an attorney to review your case, he or she can
provide you with divorce specific legal advice tailored to your situation.

22. In many cases, the earlier you do this, the better. If you’re considering
divorce, you may want to consult with an attorney well in advance of
any legal action. Maybe even before you discuss the specifics with
your spouse.

23. It may seem like a good idea to talk to your spouse and come to agreements on a settlement
ahead of time. Many people believe that the best divorce legal advice is to negotiate as much
as possible in advance and then consult an attorney to get the stamp of approval. But once
you’ve agreed on things, it can be difficult to go back and change them. A lawyer may
recognize and point out flaws or deficiencies you never considered. But you may encounter
resistance in trying to alter your arrangement if your spouse believes you’re going back on the
deal already in place.

24. Perhaps the best advice there is about divorce, legal or otherwise, is
to be prepared. Familiarize yourself with the process, know what
forms and documents you need, and be as organized as possible.
Knowing what you want and what you’re willing to give up will go a
long way towards helping you achieve your ultimate goals.

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