If you are considering divorce, there are several steps you can take before announcing it to your spouse.\u00a0 These steps help you explore your options and consider alternatives, protecting your best interests.\u00a0 They also help you plan for the future.\u00a0 In Maryland, divorce typically takes six months to a year, depending on the circumstances.\u00a0 In some cases, the divorce can drag on even longer.\u00a0 Getting your proverbial ducks in a row just makes sense.<\/p>\n
Talking to a divorce lawyer is one of the best first steps you can take.\u00a0 It is an opportunity to gather information about the laws and facts in your case.\u00a0 Every divorce is different.\u00a0 Even if you have divorced before, or have a good friend or family member who recently got divorced, the facts in your case, or the applicable laws in your case may be different for a multitude of reasons.<\/p>\n
Rather than guess how your own divorce may play out, talk to an experienced divorce lawyer.\u00a0 They can provide you with a much clearer picture of how things might work in your particular case.\u00a0 A divorce lawyer can also provide information about things you may not have considered, including educational expenses for the children, health care coverage, retirement packages, and types of alimony you may qualify for (or not!).\u00a0\u00a0 An attorney can also provide you with a list of documents they will need to start the divorce proceedings.<\/p>\n
Divorces don\u2019t just happen.\u00a0 Instead, divorce attorneys need certain paperwork to allow them to properly do their jobs.\u00a0 Every divorce must address the division of both assets and debts.\u00a0 If there are minor children, child custody and child support must also be addressed.\u00a0 Alimony may or may not be on the table, depending on the circumstances of the marriage and the parties.<\/p>\n
Just because an asset is in the name of only one person, this does not necessarily mean that person will retain some or all of the asset. \u00a0For example, just because both cars are in the husband\u2019s name doesn\u2019t mean he will keep both of the cars.\u00a0 Just because the wife has a retirement account in her name only doesn\u2019t mean she retains that asset alone.\u00a0 A divorce attorney will need tax returns, bank statements, investment statements, a list of properties owned, documentation of other assets, marriage certificates, and a copy of any pre or post nuptial agreements.\u00a0 They will also need information on health care coverage.\u00a0 Gathering this paperwork ahead of time ensures you have access to it later.\u00a0 This can save you time and heartache, as well as significant legal fees, if you later have to litigate the issue of disclosure during discovery.<\/p>\n
As a married couple, you may be familiar with each other\u2019s social media accounts.\u00a0 You may also have easy access to each other\u2019s bank accounts, shopping websites, and email accounts.\u00a0 Take some time to consider what accounts you don\u2019t want your spouse to have ready access to during or after your divorce.\u00a0 Change the passwords to those accounts immediately.\u00a0 If you have accounts that automatically insert your password, such as bank accounts, consider changing your settings.\u00a0 You may wish to set up a new email account to ensure your privacy when communicating with your divorce lawyer.<\/p>\n
Make certain you have a clear view of your finances, as a couple and as an individual.\u00a0 Review all bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, etc.\u00a0 Confirm balances owned on the house, the cars, your student loan debts, and the like.\u00a0 You want as complete a financial picture as possible before initiating divorce proceedings.<\/p>\n
Consider your credit score and credit history.\u00a0 If you do not have any credit history in your own name, now is the time to start.\u00a0 You may also want to open checking and savings accounts in your name only if you do not have them already.<\/p>\n
If you have a living will, power of attorney for health care, or a health care directive, consider updating this document.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have such a document, get one.\u00a0 That is, of course, unless you want the person you are considering divorcing to be in charge of making your health care decisions if you become incapacitated. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Additionally, considering updating your will or estate plan to reflect your current wishes regarding the passing on of your property in the event you die.\u00a0 Again, if you do not have a will or trust, consider getting one.\u00a0 While this may seem morbid, from a legal standpoint these are necessary steps.\u00a0 As long as you are legally married, your spouse has certain legal rights of decision making and inheritance, unless you have documents that provide alternatives.<\/p>\n
If you are considering divorce, contact the office of\u00a0Fait & DiLima<\/a>\u00a0to discuss your situation.\u00a0 The lawyers at our firm share over 50 years of divorce and family law experience.\u00a0 We work to help our clients find a path through their divorce case with as little conflict as necessary.\u00a0 We offer a complete range of services, from mediation to collaborative divorce, from negotiated settlement to litigation, where necessary.\u00a0 Call the office today to schedule an appointment at\u00a0(301) 251-0100<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you are considering divorce, there are several steps you can take before announcing it to your spouse.\u00a0 These steps help you explore your options and consider alternatives, protecting your best interests.\u00a0 They also help you plan for the future.\u00a0 In Maryland, divorce typically takes six months to a year, depending on the circumstances.\u00a0 In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":5006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[36],"class_list":["post-1817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-divorce"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n