Time To Throw In The Towel? 4 Steps To Take To Prepare For Your Divorce

Law Blog

If you find yourself thinking about divorce more often, it might be time to start making some plans for the future. There are some things you'll need to do that will help you start a life of your own once the divorce is final. Some of the things you'll need to do to prepare for your new life should be done before you even file the paperwork. Here are four things you should do before you file for divorce.

Build Your Own Credit History

If all of your credit history is tied to your spouse, you may have a difficult time securing the credit you need once you're divorced. A lack of credit history could make it difficult for you to obtain employment or even housing after the divorce. That's why you need to start building your own credit before you file for divorce. Before you file for divorce, apply for a credit card in your own name and make timely payments for several months. This will ensure that you have credit in your own name.

Update Your Job Skills

If your spouse was the one who worked during your marriage, you may need to update your job skills. This is particularly important if you haven't worked in several years. If you don't have any marketable skills, you may want to take a class or two at the local college. Vocational certificates will help you secure employment once you file for divorce.

Gather All the Marital Documents

You're going to need access to marital documents once you file for divorce. If you're not sure where they are, you should start locating them as soon as possible. Some of the documents you should gather include the following items.

  • Tax returns
  • Life insurance policies
  • Investment portfolios
  • Retirement accounts

Inventory Your Marital Assets

The marital assets that you and your spouse own will need to be divided as part of the divorce settlement. In order to ensure you receive your fair share of the assets, you'll need to know exactly what assets you and your spouse share. Make an inventory list of all your marital assets, including vehicles, real estate and personal property. If possible, it's also a good idea to confirm the value of each asset. This information will help your attorney place a value on the assets that are going to be divided.

If you're going to be filing for divorce, you'll need to do some advanced preparation before you file the paperwork. The information provided above will help you prepare for your divorce. For more information about how to properly prepare for your divorce, be sure to speak to your family law attorney, like those at The Law Offices of John G. McGill, Jr. or similar firms.

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Business Law Basics: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

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