If you and your spouse have decided that you have irreconcilable differences, it may very well be the case that you have considered filing for divorce. This is not going to be a comfortable experience at all but the short term pain should help to alleviate the stress and anxiety which you may be feeling right now.
Before you actually file for divorce, here is what you need to know.
Getting the Best Help
If you are looking for a divorce lawyer, Melbourne has some of the nation’s best, and it is important that you seek advice from the best lawyer that you can find. Cutting corners on this could cost you later on down the line.
Don’t Threaten Divorce
Never threaten divorce to your spouse until you are actually ready to file. This can cause them untold pain and they may actually start to move assets and prepare for the divorce proceedings, which could in turn hurt you when the case is heard.
Stay Civil
There is absolutely nothing to be gained from arguing or shouting at your spouse, so be sure that you do all that you can to stay civil and treat them with respect.
Possession Helps
Stay with your kids as long as you can and ensure that you are active in their lives. This is critical if you are looking to get custody, and you will need to be prepared for this before you file for divorce. If you are dealing with family lawyers Melbourne attorneys will all tell you the importance of being close to your kids in these situations.
Gather Your Documents
Before actually filing be sure that you have collected all of your important documents so that they are to hand. Take copies of each document and ensure that your ‘house is in order’. This will include tax information, bank statements, life insurance policies, credit card statements and anything else which relates to your cash and assets.
Focus on the Kids
This is likely to have already been a tough time for the kids, so now is best to focus on them. Plan how you can do this and cause the least impact on your children.
Three Months of Resources
Ensure that you have enough finances to cover you for at least three months. During the proceedings obtaining assets and cash may be difficult, so plan ahead and store your funds in a personal account.
Have a Safety Plan
If you have been the victim of domestic abuse then ensure that you have a safety plan for the days and weeks after you file for divorce. You could file a protection order but this would only really be for extreme cases if you feel genuinely unsafe.
Seek Help From Friends and Family
This may be a very difficult time for you and that is why it is important that you confide in family and friends about what you are feeling. Bottling things up will not help you at all.
Educate Yourself
You should also know that now is the time to educate yourself on what divorce looks like. Seek answers for the questions which you have now, so that you will be prepared once the divorce is finalised.
Remember to always try and get the best legal support which you can, in order for the divorce to be finalised as quickly as possible, and in the easiest way.
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