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Divorce Preparation: Steps to Take Before Filing
09 Feb, 2025
Child Custody

Divorce Preparation: Steps to Take Before Filing

There is no denying that your divorce will be unique to you and your situation. This does not mean, however, that the universal divorce tips that follow cannot help guide you through the process. One of the primary steps anyone facing a divorce should take is consulting with an experienced Illinois divorce attorney at the outset. 

Consider the Matter of Court

If you are terrified by the horror stories you’ve heard about divorces that end up in court, it’s time to take stock. Only if you and your divorcing spouse are unable to resolve the terms of your divorce without the court’s intervention will your divorce proceed to court. Toward this end, you have options that include:

  • Negotiating those terms that you can between yourselves
  • Allowing your respective divorce attorneys to negotiate unresolved terms on behalf of each of you
  • Proceeding to a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation, where a professional mediator provides an assist

The more terms you are able to resolve, the fewer the court will need to address (if your case does proceed to trial).

Work Closely with an Experienced Divorce Attorney

The terms of your divorce include all the following (as applicable):

  • The division of your marital assets
  • Your child custody arrangements, including both parental responsibilities and parenting time
  • Child support
  • Alimony

These are obviously primary concerns that are far too significant not to come prepared, which requires the kind of legal savvy that only a seasoned divorce attorney can provide. 

Accept that Your Parenting Schedule Will Change

When you and your spouse divorce, the amount of time that you will spend with your children will change, but this does not mean that your relationship with your children will. The bottom line is that it is in your children’s best interests to have a loving relationship with both parents, and you should allow this to be your guide.

Gather Documentation

Divorce is the dissolution of a legal contract, which means that it is a dry legal matter – in addition to being an emotionally fraught major transition in your life. With legal matters comes documentation, which includes all the financial documents you are able to access and all the following:

  • Your marriage license
  • Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreement you and your spouse executed prior to or during your marriage
  • Any life insurance policies on either of you 

Keep an Eye Toward the Future

At some point, your divorce will be finalized (even if it seems never-ending at the moment). As such, it is a good idea to keep all the following in mind:

  • Separating your credit cards
  • Updating your beneficiaries
  • Addressing the matter of your mortgage (in accordance with the terms of your divorce)
  • Setting up a separate bank account

An Experienced Illinois Divorce Attorney Can Help

The accomplished Illinois divorce attorneys at SLG Family Law are well-prepared to help protect your rights throughout the divorce process – in preparation for your best post-divorce future. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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