Anyone who has been divorced will tell you it’s a stressful time made worse by the fear of the unknown and a sickening feeling that you may never fully prepare yourself for divorce. In a previous blog post, we shared five practical ways to prepare yourself, including knowing your options, organizing critical paperwork, and working with your attorney to understand how the divorce process works. But why is being prepared and following tips like these a good thing?
As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Knowing you’re prepared for anything, regardless of whether it’s a test at school, a presentation at work, or the divorce process, has numerous benefits. Below are just a few.
Common Sense Reasons You Should Be Preparing Yourself for Divorce
You have time to gather and organize all the relevant paperwork.
From bank statements and investment information to tax returns, credit card bills, mortgage information, and relevant evidence such as text messages, voicemails, emails, etc., you and your attorney will need a lot of information to build a case. Needless to say, you don’t want to be scrounging together this information half-heartedly or at the last minute. In many cases, these documents won’t be right at your fingertips; getting your hands on them may take time.
You’ll have more time to think ahead for life’s what-ifs.
There are many important life matters to consider before, during, and after divorce. A few examples include how you will tell your kids and family you’re getting divorced, new living arrangements, existing and future job opportunities, and even how you will pay for the divorce. Answering these and many more questions helps give you a clearer picture of what you want to achieve from this divorce and what life can look like when the dust settles. The best way to think clearly about these and many more crucial decisions is to prepare as far in advance as possible.
You’ll be more aware of your options and have time to choose the best approach.
The reality is that marriages end peacefully all the time and don’t always reach a courtroom. Preparing yourself for divorce allows you to look at all avenues ahead of time. Mediation, collaborative divorce, and other alternative dispute resolution methods help couples peacefully negotiate all the terms of their divorce in a neutral setting to avoid litigation.
You have time to choose the right attorney.
This should really be No. 1 on this list of reasons that preparing yourself for divorce is a good thing. Rather than wait until the last minute and be forced to choose the first family law attorney that pops up online, preparing means you can take your time, interview several firms, and ask the right questions so that you ultimately find someone you feel comfortable with, is solutions-minded, and has experience with your situation.
You can set your own deadlines.
When you are prepared for divorce, you will be ahead of the game in many pivotal matters. As a result, you’ll have a better chance of proceeding at your own pace versus constantly trying to catch up with everyone else’s deadlines. You could also ensure your unique divorce process doesn’t drag out longer than needed.
You’ll save time and money.
Think about it: The more prepared you are from the get-go, the less time you’ll have to spend searching for information your attorney needs. Your attorney will also spend less time researching and doing more heavy lifting. Your attorney is there to help you, but getting divorced isn’t cheap. The more you procrastinate or make the situation more complicated than it needs to be, the more time and money you’ll likely spend trying to create the best possible outcome.
Christman | Daniell has a unique and refreshing approach to the often turbulent and emotionally stressful disputes, including those arising in divorce, child custody, and other family law cases. Our firm anchors its representation and legal advice in principles and philosophies that focus on the long-term best interests of children and families. We are committed to supporting and guiding you through the dark days of marital discord and crisis.
Please call Christman | Daniell for your legal needs today!
Looking for family law services in Collin County, Texas? Christman | Daniell is your premier choice. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the legal landscape, our skilled team is dedicated to helping families navigate complex legal matters. Whether it’s divorce, child custody, or adoption, trust Christman | Daniell to provide compassionate and effective representation for all your family law needs throughout Collin County.
Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. The material on this website and in this or any blog article we publish are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice. The attorneys at Christman | Daniell believe in tailoring legal advice and solutions to your own personal circumstances.
We have an unwavering commitment to helping our clients at each stage of their legal situation.
