What to Do Before Filing for Divorce
There is a lot to consider if you’re ending your marriage. Our attorneys offer advice for people beginning divorce and break down what you need to know to avoid costly mistakes. Here’s how to pause, plan, and protect yourself.
Transcript:
“For anyone beginning the divorce process, I would suggest that they have begun to gather up and take inventory of all of their financial assets. And assets, when we think about that, we want to think about our house, retirement plans, savings accounts, pension. We want to think about other banking accounts. Could be cryptocurrency as well. We want to think about vehicles. We also want to think about the debts that people may have that can be unsecured debt, such as credit cards or personal loans. Also mortgages, home equity lines of credit. We want to think about auto loans, all of those sorts of things. We want to essentially make a list and take an inventory of what you know of or what you have. Folks often say, well, there might be things I don’t know about, and that’s fine. Tell me what you can or what you think might be out there that you don’t know about, and any little nuggets of information that you might have about where we can look for those types of things. You also want to proceed as if, text messages, emails, other things that you send could potentially be read out loud in court one day or used as an exhibit. You want to conduct yourself with your spouse or soon-to-be ex-spouse, as in a business like manner. Don’t speak to them in a way that you wouldn’t speak to a business colleague, or better yet, a boss. You want to be professional, courteous, but also direct.”
Advice for People Beginning a Divorce
The decisions you make in the first few weeks can significantly impact the rest of your case, so maintaining a calm and strategic mindset is crucial. Emotional decisions can backfire when negotiating custody rights, property division, and child or spousal support.
Many people mistakenly believe that fair means equal, but marital property is divided equitably in Nebraska, not necessarily in a 50/50 split. Knowing your rights and what to do before filing for divorce can help you avoid giving up something you’re legally entitled to.
What to Do Before Filing for Divorce
This video walks through practical steps to take before initiating divorce, including:
- Gathering financial records
- Documenting assets and debts
- Reviewing prenuptial agreements
- Determining parenting time and child support
Divorce isn’t about being sneaky; it’s about being smart. Divorce attorneys know that if things turn hostile after divorce papers are filed, having the information secured ahead of time is beneficial.
Talk to the Dornan Law Team Today
Many people wait too long to get legal advice about what to do before filing for divorce. By the time they speak to a lawyer, damage has already been done.
In this video, we explain how early legal guidance can help you avoid missteps when it comes to money, parenting plans, and even where you choose to live. Schedule a consultation with the Dornan Law Team today for the clarity you need to make informed decisions.
