What you can do to prepare for divorce in California

In about half of the marriages in the country, the time comes when one or both spouses start thinking about getting a divorce. Often, there are signs that a marriage may have run its course. When a person believes that his or her marriage is headed for dissolution, there are some steps that can be taken right away to ensure that a person is protected in a divorce.

First, a person would want to speak with an Orange County attorney. Doing so early may help a person avoid common pitfalls and mistakes in the time leading up to a divorce. A lawyer will also be able to tell a person how to prepare for divorce proceedings and what type of outcome he or she may be able to expect.

It is also recommended that a person gathers the financial information for banking accounts and assets. It is not a good idea to try and hide assets or money. When and if hidden assets are discovered, a judge may award more property or alimony to the other spouse.

Divorcing spouses may be tempted to badmouth each other to mutual friends or their children. Avoiding this is recommended because they should not have to be caught in the middle of a couple or an argument. Keeping them out of it may be difficult, but it will be beneficial in the long run.

More often than not, divorces take a serious emotional toll on those involved. It may be a good idea for people going through a divorce to speak to a professional about their feelings and how they may be dealing with their anxiety. A doctor or counselor can address any issues that a person may be facing and evaluate a person’s mental status.

Taking these steps is sort of like buying insurance. These actions can protect a person in the event of a divorce. If the couple ends up working things out and not getting divorced, there is nothing on this list that cannot be undone or dismissed.

Source: The Huffington Post, “6 Things To Do When You See Divorce In Your Future,” Stann Givens, April 25, 2012