Best Summer Projects For People Who Are Considering Divorce

Divorce Monday, the first business Monday of the year, when the courts receive more divorce petitions than they get on any other day, is still more than half a year away, but most people who file for divorce on that day have been preparing for it for months.  The instances where one spouse is completely surprised to receive the divorce papers are the exception.  In some cases, the couple has talked openly with each other about their plans to divorce, but more often, they didn’t discuss the matter directly, even though they could both see the handwriting on the wall.  If you are seriously considering divorce, there are some projects you should undertake now to make your family’s financial situation less complicated, so that when you eventually file for divorce, your case will settle more quickly.  A Boca Raton divorce lawyer can help you with long-term strategy, even before your divorce begins.

Spend Money in 2023 to Have a Less Messy Divorce in 2024

Once the court receives a divorce petition, it often issues a status quo order that prevents the parties from selling marital assets until the divorce becomes final.  The more money you spend during the pendency of your divorce, the more you and your spouse get to argue about it, creating a vicious cycle.  Therefore, the time to remodel your house is before you file for divorce, not after.  The same applies to selling your rental property or getting out of a timeshare arrangement.  All of these projects require cooperation with your spouse; you could set a dynamic for peaceful co-parenting after your divorce, or you might even decide that you want to stay together.

Likewise, your divorce might be simpler if you have already moved out of the marital home by the time you file the divorce petition.  This way, you have clear evidence of how much your rent and other expenses cost; you are not just guessing, so there is less room for your spouse to try to contradict you.

Activities That Should Wait Until After You File the Divorce Petition

You may have long since decided to start a new life with a new partner, and finalizing your divorce is the final obstacle you must clear before doing that.  As serious as you may be about your new love, you should not get financially entangled with him or her until after your divorce becomes final.  Even if you and your spouse are already separated, spending money on your new relationship, whether in the form of gifts, vacations, or expensive dates, can only reflect badly on you in divorce court.  Marital misconduct, which is where you spend money outside the marriage, counts against you in a divorce case more than cheating on your spouse does.  Stick to cheap dates for the remainder of 2023.

Contact Schwartz | White About Divorces That May or May Not Happen

A South Florida family law attorney can help you if you are separated from your spouse and ambivalent about getting a divorce.  Contact Schwartz | White in Boca Raton, Florida about your case.

Source:

lawyers.com/legal-info/family-law/divorce/ten-things-you-must-do-before-you-file-for-divorce.html