The 10 Pre-Divorce Moves Every Woman Should Make

A man and woman sitting on the couch looking upset.

Facing a divorce is tough. You know you need to prepare, but where do you start? This go-to list covers 10 pre-divorce moves every woman should make, empowering you with the knowledge to protect your financial stability, maintain your parental rights, and establish personal independence. With practical steps from documenting your assets to planning your living situation, at WSM, we’re here to help you take control ahead of the formal proceedings. Enter this challenging time backed by a plan that positions you for a positive outcome.

At WSM, we understand the emotional and financial challenges that come with divorce. Our experienced team is dedicated to guiding you through the process with care and experience. Beyond the initial steps outlined in this list, we offer personalized support tailored to your unique situation. 

Take the first step towards a brighter future by scheduling a free consultation with our knowledgeable team. Together, we can handle the complexities of divorce, ensuring you make informed decisions that pave the way for a positive outcome. Your journey to a new chapter starts here—empowered and prepared. Contact us today at 380-212-3731 for a free consultation.

WSM represents women throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Texas.

1. Assessing Your Financial Landscape

When facing a divorce, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of your financial landscape. This knowledge serves as a compass, guiding you through the intricacies of assets, debts, and potential alimony. This crucial step lays the groundwork for your financial future, empowering you to take control of your finances.

Compile Key Financial Documents

Ever heard of the adage, ‘knowledge is power’? In the realm of divorce, this power lies in your financial documents. A thorough understanding of your marital financial situation comes from a deep dive into documents such as credit reports, account statements, and tax returns. This process goes beyond simple diligence, it arms you with invaluable financial insight that can shape your divorce negotiations.

Review Joint Accounts and Debts

Joint accounts, debts, and retirement accounts – the very threads that intertwine your finances with your spouse. Examining joint accounts, retirement accounts, and debts is instrumental in ascertaining responsibilities and facilitating equitable division during the divorce process.

After all, your financial independence hinges on understanding these shared responsibilities and knowing where you stand in terms of financial burden.

Understand Potential Alimony and Child Support

Alimony, also known as spousal support and child support – are the two financial pillars that often come into play during a divorce. While these terms may seem daunting, understanding their potential implications is crucial. Discussing these matters with your attorney from WSM and preparing a financial affidavit not only provides clarity but also aids in tailoring the legal strategy to your case.

Remember, gaining a clear picture of these potential payments is part of empowering your financial future.

2. Consulting with an Attorney Before Making Changes to Finances

Seeking legal counsel before making alterations to bank accounts or opening new credit cards prior to a divorce is crucial due to various reasons. Conducting such financial actions without proper legal guidance may result in potential legal ramifications.

Questions You Should Ask Your Potential Divorce Attorney

Maintaining Financial Transparency

Throughout divorce proceedings, both parties are obligated to provide complete financial disclosure. Any modifications to bank accounts or the initiation of new credit cards without proper documentation may be perceived as an effort to conceal assets, which could lead to significant legal consequences.

Impact on Asset Division

Courts determine the distribution of assets based on a comprehensive understanding of the couple’s financial situation. Abrupt changes to accounts can complicate this process and potentially lead to an inequitable distribution of assets.

Potential Legal Consequences

Participating in financial maneuvers without legal advice may violate court orders or legal procedures. This can result in legal consequences, including fines or sanctions imposed by the court. Seeking legal guidance helps ensure compliance with legal requirements and protects against unintended legal implications.

3. Preparing for Parental Responsibilities

Managing the tumultuous process of divorce often places children’s care and well-being at the height of a woman’s priority list. Preparing for parental responsibilities is therefore pivotal. It involves developing a co-parenting strategy that promotes effective communication and joint decision-making and addresses child support and custody issues.

After all, your children’s happiness and security are paramount as you go through a divorce.

Developing a Co-parenting Strategy

A meticulously crafted co-parenting strategy forms the bedrock of effective parenting after divorce. The goal is simple: to prioritize your children’s well-being. This strategy should encompass effective communication, consistent rules, and joint decision-making.

It’s about maintaining harmony and fostering a healthy environment for your children. Remember, the key is to keep your children’s interests at heart, even in the face of adversity.

Addressing Child Support and Custody

Areas demanding careful consideration in the realm of parental responsibilities include child support and custody. Understanding these aspects and working with your attorney from WSM to create a comprehensive parenting plan is a step towards safeguarding your children’s interests.

Be it physical custody or legal custody, having a clear understanding of these terms can go a long way in easing the divorce process for you and your children.

4. Securing Emotional and Social Support

Divorce is not just a legal process; it’s an emotional journey. Securing emotional and social support is therefore integral to handling this journey. Here are some ways to build a network of positive reinforcement and shared experiences:

  • Seek support from friends and family
  • Join support groups or online communities
  • Consider therapy or counseling
  • Engage in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies

These steps can help you find the support you need during this challenging time.

After all, no woman is an island, and in times of divorce, a strong support network can be your lifeline.

Lean on Friends and Family

Friends and family – your pillars of strength in times of hardship. As you go through the divorce process, don’t hesitate to lean on them. Their emotional support, divorce advice, and alternative perspectives can be invaluable.

And yes, don’t shy away from reaching out to other women navigating divorce and who have undergone similar experiences. Other divorced women have wisdom and shared experiences can be a beacon of hope during this challenging time.

Join Support Groups and Networks

Joining support groups and networks offers several benefits, including:

  • Providing a safe space for you to share, connect, and gain encouragement from peers
  • Offering accessibility and convenience, whether it’s a face-to-face group or an online network
  • Creating a sense of belonging within a community of shared experiences

5. Planning Your Living Situation

A divorce is not just the end of a marital relationship; it’s also a significant change in your living situation. Planning your future living situation, whether retaining the marital home or relocating, requires thoughtful deliberation. It involves evaluating housing options and addressing real estate concerns, all while keeping your financial stability and emotional well-being in mind. In this context, it’s essential to consider various things divorce can affect in your life.

Evaluate Housing Options

Assessing housing options forms a crucial part of charting your post-divorce living arrangements. It’s about striking a balance between emotional comfort and financial stability. Whether it’s maintaining the marital home or considering rental properties, each option brings advantages and challenges.

The key is to make an informed decision that aligns with your financial capabilities and emotional needs.

Addressing Real Estate Concerns

While tackling real estate concerns in the aftermath of a divorce may seem intimidating, it is an indispensable task. From understanding the emotional significance of the marital home to managing legal implications and potential financial challenges, each aspect requires careful consideration.

Remember, the goal is to make a decision that supports your financial stability and emotional well-being.

6. Protecting Personal Privacy and Security

In the digital age, protecting personal privacy and security is paramount, especially during a divorce. It involves reviewing credit reports, effectively managing passwords, and securing personal devices.

Taking these steps guarantees the security of your personal information during the separation process, leaving you free to concentrate on your main objective – readying for your divorce.

Secure Online Accounts

Securing your online accounts is paramount as you set out on your journey towards divorce. From changing passwords to using password managers and reviewing social media privacy settings, each step is geared toward protecting your online presence. After all, your financial and personal information is your own, and it should remain that way. Additionally, consider joining a private Facebook forum to discuss and share experiences with others going through a similar situation.

Establish New Communication Channels

Communication is key, especially when it comes to divorce-related matters. Establishing new communication channels, such as setting up new email addresses, can help keep these communications organized and secure. Moreover, deciding on preferred modes of communication ensures that your interactions remain structured and respectful.

Remember, clear communication is the first step towards a smooth divorce process, and following some essential divorce tips can make a significant difference.

7. Employment and Career Planning

A divorce often brings with it an opportunity to reassess your career goals. Be it updating your resume or scouting new job opportunities, employment, and career planning are key elements on your path to financial independence. After all, your career is not just a means to an end; it’s a platform to showcase your skills, fulfill your aspirations, and carve out your own identity.

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Your resume and LinkedIn profile are your professional calling cards. They reflect your skills, experience, and career aspirations. Therefore, updating these profiles is an essential step in career planning. From detailing your current skills to seeking endorsements, each update enhances your online professional persona, paving the way for exciting job opportunities.

Explore Job Opportunities

Scouting for job opportunities in real life unveils a world of possibilities. It’s about creating a vision for your ideal job and considering roles beyond your previous experience. While the job market may seem daunting, remember to stay resilient and positive.

After all, each job application is a step towards your financial independence. Keep in mind that achieving goals takes time and effort. Stay patient and persistent, understanding that progress happens gradually.

8. Health and Well-Being Prioritization

Amidst divorce preparations, it’s easy to lose sight of one vital component – your health and well-being. However, prioritizing both your physical and mental health is of utmost importance. Here are some steps to take to prioritize your health during the divorce process:

  1. Schedule regular health check-ups to monitor your physical well-being.
  2. Practice self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies that bring you joy.
  3. Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist to help manage stress and emotions.
  4. Take time for yourself to relax and recharge. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you emerge from the divorce process not just surviving, but thriving.

Schedule Health Check-Ups

Health check-ups extend beyond being mere routine appointments; they serve as your primary defense against potential health problems. By scheduling these check-ups before potential changes in health insurance coverage, you’re taking a proactive step towards safeguarding your health.

After all, as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

Practice Self-Care and Stress Management

Self-care and stress management – two pillars of well-being that can’t be ignored during the divorce process. It’s about recognizing a wide array of emotions, maintaining normal routines, and identifying negative coping mechanisms.

By practicing self-care and managing stress effectively, you’re ensuring that you remain emotionally resilient throughout your divorce journey. After all, your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical health.

9. Documenting Everything

The golden rule in the realm of divorce preparation is simple – document everything. Whether it’s organizing important paperwork or maintaining records for legal purposes, documentation is key. It aids in creating a clear record of events, which can play a crucial role in your divorce proceedings.

After all, when it comes to preparing for a divorce from your soon-to-be ex, every detail counts.

Organize Important Paperwork

While organizing important paperwork might seem mundane, it is an indispensable task. From storing all important paperwork in a secure location to using color-coded folders, each step helps make your documentation process efficient and seamless. And remember, in the realm of divorce preparation, an organized approach is a winning approach.

Record Keeping for Legal Purposes

Record keeping for legal purposes – it’s not just about maintaining files, it’s about building an evidence bank. Whether it’s documenting financial contributions or maintaining a daily record of significant actions, each record plays a pivotal role in your divorce proceedings. And remember, when it comes to legal disputes, your records could be your strongest ally.

10. Legal Counsel and Representation

Going through the intricacies of a divorce necessitates the right legal counsel and representation. It’s about finding a divorce lawyer who understands your needs and can help clarify your legal questions. After all, your attorney is your guide on this legal journey, helping you maneuver through the maze of divorce laws and regulations.

Finding an Attorney Who Understands Your Needs

Selecting an attorney who can empathize and understand your needs goes beyond just legal experience. From gauging comfort levels to ensuring the attorney’s experience aligns with your needs, each factor plays a crucial role in your attorney selection process.

Remember, your attorney is not just your legal representative, they’re your ally in this challenging journey. A good attorney referral can make all the difference in your case.

Clarifying Your Legal Questions

Answering your legal questions can be likened to solving a puzzle, one piece at a time. From understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your case to knowing the judge’s temperament and biases, each clarification brings you one step closer to understanding the legal landscape of your divorce.

After all, knowledge is power, and in your divorce journey, this power lies in the answers to your legal questions.

Contact WSM to Make the Best Moves for Your Divorce

Preparing for a divorce is a multifaceted process that encompasses financial, emotional, parental, and legal aspects. From assessing your financial landscape and establishing credit independence to securing emotional and social support and understanding your legal landscape, each step is geared towards empowering your future. Always remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Lean on your support network, seek professional assistance, and most importantly, believe in yourself. Because at the end of the day, the power to shape your future lies in your hands.

WSM can aid you through your divorce journey. As a multi-state litigation firm handling divorce and family law issues for women, WSM is committed to guiding, supporting, and fighting for you at every stage of your divorce. From handling high-asset divorce cases to resolving high-conflict custody disputes, our range of services is designed to meet your unique needs.

Whether you’re handling emotional turmoil or financial complexities, WSM is here as your ally, dedicated to helping you not only survive but thrive after your divorce. 

We are proud to represent women throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Texas.

Let us guide you through the process, providing the support and experience you need for a successful post-divorce journey. Your path to thriving begins with a conversation—contact us today at 380-212-3731 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

To prepare for a divorce, a wife should take steps such as making copies of financial documents, creating a budget, and seeking professional advice. It’s important to reassess insurance coverage, update wills and trusts, research tax implications, and consider credit counseling to ensure preparedness for the process.

Securing your emotional well-being during a divorce is crucial. Seek support from trusted friends and family, consider joining a support group, or seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Engage in self-care activities that you enjoy and that help you relax. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and take time for yourself.

To ensure financial stability during and after divorce, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your current financial situation. This includes knowing your income, expenses, assets, and debts. Consider seeking advice from a financial advisor who specifically handles divorce. 

WSM offers comprehensive legal services for women navigating the divorce process. Our team of experienced attorneys can provide guidance on financial matters, custody arrangements, and legal representation in court. We are committed to ensuring you understand your rights and options and helping you make informed decisions that serve your interests.

Contact Us

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Practice Areas