Preparing for a divorce is one of the more emotionally traumatic experiences a person can have. Any positive memories are overshadowed by the current situation, in which you are forced to protect yourself at all costs. Despite the social stigma, preparing for a divorce is not about being dishonest or nefarious – it’s about survival.

However, as with anything you plan to see through to completion, the more prepared you are, the more successful you will be. You are more likely to save time and money while minimizing emotional stress and anxiety if you have a sound plan and a support team.

Step 1. Face Your Emotions

Emotions are the impetus for every divorce, and the one that is most prevalent is pain. You don’t have to shut down to train yourself to turn off all of your emotions, but being able to keep them in check and let your critical thinking skills take the wheel will help to minimize any drama and not let the other party antagonize you. A therapist, divorce coach, or experienced lawyer can help walk you through this process so that negative emotions don’t get the better of you.

Step 2. Gather Necessary Documents

The divorce process is driven by documents. Tax returns, bank statements, house deeds, and more will need to be gathered and organized so your attorney can help protect you and your interests. The more organized your documents are, the smoother the process will go.

Step 3. Learn about Divorce

Being thrust into a divorce case has a steep learning curve, but the more you know, the better your chances of coming out on top. Take the time to learn about the entire process, including child support, dividing assets, joint and personal finances, conflict mediation and resolution, spousal support, and anything else you can get your hands on. Being aware of what happens in your case can help you prepare for potential outcomes and form contingency plans with your lawyer.

Step 4. Post-Divorce Planning

You cannot wait for the outcome of your divorce to figure out what you are going to do with your life. You need to put together a financial plan and explore your options so you know which path to take after the divorce is over. People who do not plan for what happens after – even if they do not take a financial hit of any kind – find themselves lost and unable to make any headway.

Step 5. Assemble a Winning Team

No one makes it through a divorce alone. You need to surround yourself who will not only protect and fight for you but also become an extended support network. Divorce teams usually consist of at least one therapist, a divorce coach, a financial adviser, a child psychologist if necessary, and a divorce lawyer with experience handling cases that fit what you are going through right now.

Divorce is never easy, and every one is unique. At Goodwyn Law Firm, LLC we will not only handle your divorce, but we will go through your options and work with you to come up with a plan of action for the case itself and beyond. We listen to your concerns and help in any way we can to minimize the stress and anxiety by effectively addressing issues such as child support, custody, spousal maintenance, and division of property.

Contact us today for a free consultation.