Everyone wishes divorce could go smoother and without the headaches and expenses that so often come with the territory. For most, however, the process simply is unpleasant. Nevertheless, there are a number of things that divorcing couples can do well in advance of court to ensure the best chance of a quick and relatively smooth transition. One of the first steps should always be to schedule an appointment with a local Hinsdale family law attorney to weigh your options and get early advice. Beyond that, here are four tips for planning a successful divorce.
Long before either party files a petition for dissolution of marriage and far prior to any court hearing, you should consider how difficult it may be later to obtain copies of things like:
Once a couple is in the midst of a divorce, it can be tempting to not share private information, especially finances. This later leads to complicated discovery – the process through which attorneys obtain this information from each side. This is often the most expensive and challenging part of the case. So, the best way to avoid this is to gather the documents while you are still on speaking terms and long before the divorce has begun.
It may seem simple to take a simple inventory of all your combined household items and assets, but this can be trickier than you would think. Consider how many sets of clothing your children have, how much furniture there will be to furnish two households, and what lawn equipment and expensive tools or other items would be sorely missed and difficult to replace if not fairly shared. It is best to create a list of the basic necessities you will need to get started on your own separate lives. Then, try to ensure that you are setting yourself up for success after divorce by having the necessary items (or the funds to replace them).
Parenting often becomes a routine, a chore, an automated process of driving to school, picking up kids, taking them to sporting events, and so forth. Married couples can easily go into autopilot mode, much like a taxi driver following the same route every day. But divorce will assuredly disrupt this pattern. Make sure you sit down and figure out all the logistics and exactly how you plan to divide the parenting responsibilities, the drop-offs, the pick-ups, the school schedules, the days school is closed, and special events.
This may take weeks or even months for you to iron out. It is best if you and your spouse can decide these things together, but you should at least have an idea of how you would best like to see the process continue. Ultimately, the court will look at what is best for the children when deciding parenting allocation, but careful pre-planning goes a long way to show the court you are looking out for the kids.
Yes, it may seem cliché, but you are going to need support – emotional and possibly financial. Now is not the time for stoic strength. It is the time to lean on friends and ask for help. Look out for your health and make sure you have a strong support network in place to be there when you have down days. They will happen.
Once you have set the process in motion, it will be a bit of a whirlwind. Few people go through a divorce without any scars or wounds. But by planning early, you can definitely minimize some of the difficulty. If you are planning a divorce, call the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio today at 630-920-8855, and speak with a dedicated DuPage County divorce lawyer about your situation during a free consultation.
Source:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+VI&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8350000&SeqEnd=10200000