Most people don’t go into a marriage thinking they’ll be getting a divorce. We’ve all heard the statistics, however, that 50% of American marriages end in divorce. To help you better understand what to expect from a divorce, we’ve rounded up this go-to guide.
If you’re overwhelmed with where to begin, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over some of the initial steps, so you’ll be better mentally and emotionally prepared.
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The Goal After Divorce is a Fair Share
In most cases, the goal of the state and your legal team is that you and your spouse determine what fair share is appropriate for each of you. While this isn’t always the case, the more you can work out between you, the smoother the process will go.
To start, you and your spouse will need to go through the discovery process in which all of your assets and marital property are identified. The same goes for your debt.
If you don’t decide this on your own, the court will determine what assets and debts should get distributed in an equitable way.
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Your Divorce is Extremely Personal
Your divorce is one of the most personal experiences of your life. No one will be as invested as you are in the process and outcome of your divorce. It’s important to have a legal team that understands this.
It’s common to feel embarrassed, ashamed, alone, nervous, and angry. It’s also understandable to feel relieved and excited. A new chapter awaits.
It’s natural to also feel exposed when it comes to your assets and the details of your personal relationships. It’s important to have a legal team around you that understands how difficult and personal this process is.
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There Will Be Mountains of Paperwork
One of the most underestimated aspects of a divorce is how much paperwork there will be. From debt statements to assets and every document in between, there will be a long list of files.
You both will need to supply a very detailed list of all your expenses and income streams. From childcare payments and school tuition to your mortgage and car payments, everything will need to be brought to the discovery process.
During the process, there will also be more documents to sign and fill out. Know that this is all normal and eventually you’ll get to the other side.
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Your Kids Will Be a Part of the Process
As much as many parents want to leave their kids out of their divorce, this isn’t always realistic. You’ll not only need to determine who’s paying for their expenses, but you’ll also need a detailed custody plan.
Your child’s schedule may change over time but during the divorce process, you’ll come up with an initial schedule and plan regarding where the kids live and when.
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The More You Can Prepare, the Better
The more you can prepare for your divorce the smoother it will go. From income statements to your child’s cost of living, the more information you have ready the better. Being prepared with this information will take some weight off your shoulders.
What to Expect From a Divorce?
Knowing what to expect from a divorce will help you mentally and emotionally prepare. The divorce process isn’t easy and there are several different types of divorce. Your marriage was unique and so is your separation.
A good legal and support team will help you every step of the way. Remember that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel with a new beginning. For more family and relationship tips and advice, check out our life section.
