Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Divorce And Finance: 6 Tips For Financial Preparation

By Laura Sullivan


It is out of doubt that the family court will not make decisions on your financial properties based on whose version of the divorce story they believe on the day. In fact, the law provides family courts with a list of relevant factors to consider when determining your financial position. These are essential to be aware of when going through a divorce, in order to ensure you put yourself in the best possible position when the court is considering your rightful financial share. These divorce and finance considerations include a number of factors.

Hire a good attorney immediately. Do not "trust" your spouse to take care of your best interests during a divorce. Whenever there are property issues, significant assets, and child custody issues involved, it is wise to use an attorney to make sure all bases are covered and that your interests are protected. Be sure you choose someone you feel is genuinely on your side and out for your best interests. A good attorney will manage the financial divisions, as well as property and child custody issues. This is important to be sure you have crossed all t's and dotted all i's, and that nothing has been missed

Get a credit card in your name only. This is usually best done when your spouse's and your credit is still combined, so that you get a higher limit and can report a higher combined household income. You may need to try more than one company if you are declined by one.

Make copies of every financial document possible. This can include tax returns, W-2's, paycheck stubs, property appraisals, mileage plan statements, employee reimbursement accounts, credit card statements, loan information, bank statements, insurance information/policies, , and the like. An attorney can provide you with the complete list of what they will need to help you properly divide assets.

The Issue of the relationship between Pensions and divorce is also important here as if one party has a significantly larger pension than the other, then a pension sharing order will be considered.

"Borrow" money from friends or family if possible. This can be counted toward your overall debt, and presumably you will have more leeway to pay it back, if you need to do so.

Create your living expenses budget. List everything you need, including rent, mortgage, HOA dues, property taxes, utilities, food, gas, insurance policies, car maintenance, school tuition, gym memberships, and any other regular, fixed expenses for you and your children. This will help both you and your attorney work with a realistic picture of what you need to live on your own.

Begin to consider your future employment options and goals. You may be entitled to alimony or spousal support, but begin thinking about a plan for how you will support yourself after this support ends. Consult a career counselor or coach for help on clarifying your strengths, talents, and what you will need to do to get you where you'd like to be. This is a great opportunity for self-exploration, and perhaps discovery of abilities you never knew you could bring to the table.




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