Divorce is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This section, “Getting Savvy,” presents advanced divorce preparation tips, keeping in mind that the goal is making sure that you and your family come out of the process feeling as secure as possible. The Ultimate Divorce Worksheet allows you to take control of your divorce proceedings and take a more proactive approach in understanding the process. Through this worksheet, you can access comprehensive information about different areas of divorce law.
If you arrived at this post first and missed the initial installments, here they are. Start at the beginning to maximize the value of your Divorce Planning Worksheet.
Before you divorce, make sure to take care of any medical difficulties. If there are any problems with transferring medical insurance, be sure you’ve already taken care of any routine appointments or concerns.
34. List And Itemize Any Belongings You Have, Such As Gifts Or Family Treasures.
If you need to safeguard them, hide them, store them, or ask a friend or family member to hold them for you, but make sure you declare them in any legal paperwork so that no one uses your actions against you during the divorce. Remember, hiding assets is against the law, storing them out of sight, but declaring them on your divorce paperwork is legal and protects the asset from a possibly vindictive spouse.
35. Who Leaves the Marital Home and When Do They Do So?
Will you both? You might not want to or be able to stay in the family home. So you might start looking for apartments (Perhaps consult neighboring rentals or Airbnb if you consider the solution temporary), or you might stay with relatives and friends for a bit. Of course, this is determined by your financial status. If feasible, consult a lawyer about the advisability and legal logistics of locating a place to reside in BEFORE filing. It will alleviate the anguish and worry of cohabiting while divorcing.
36. Keep a running list of all the documents that need to be updated once the divorce is finalized.
Most legal documents cannot be amended unless a divorce decision showing a change in your status is obtained. These may include: changing your name, updating or writing a will, or changing beneficiaries on insurance plans. You should consult with your attorney about when you can modify these documents.
In conclusion, divorce is a time that can be full of confusion and uncertainty, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take the time to get organized and answer the questions posed in this ultimate divorce worksheet, you will have a much clearer idea of what your path forward should look like. You’ll also feel more empowered to make sound decisions that are best for you and your family. The key is to be proactive, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
