Tampa Pre-Divorce Planning Attorney
The divorce process can cause confusion and stress for anyone going through it. While you may not be able to avoid all of the complexities involved, there are ways to reduce them and make the process easier. Good planning is essential when preparing for a divorce. Below, our Tampa pre-divorce planning attorney outlines the most important steps to take.
Plan a Safe Escape if You are a Victim of Domestic Violence
The most important priority is your safety. If you are the victim of domestic violence, matters will not improve if your spouse learns of your plans to divorce. Arrange to stay at a trusted loved one’s house or contact a local shelter who assists victims of domestic violence. Have a discreet bag ready to go that has your important documents, bank account information, health insurance information, and other essential items.
Open a New Bank Account
Everyone should open a new bank account in their name only when preparing for divorce. This can help you keep your funds separate from marital funds and help you establish financial independence as you prepare to move forward in your new life. It is important to consult with an attorney before taking any funds out of your marital account, as that can be considered an illegal act during divorce.
Monitor Your Credit
It is important to protect your credit when planning for divorce. According to the law, the financial decisions your spouse makes can have an impact on you, even after you divorce. Regularly monitoring your credit can help you determine if there has been unauthorized activity in your accounts and to ensure that marital debts are handled properly.
Collect Important Documents
There are many marital and financial documents you will need when going through a divorce. These include:
- Bank statements,
- Tax returns,
- Retirement savings information,
- Medical bills,
- Mortgage documents,
- Property deeds,
- School tuition deeds,
- Health insurance information,
- Wills and other estate planning documents, and
- End of life plans.
Having the above documents can help you classify marital and separate property. This is essential during property division and alimony proceedings so, it is important to collect these documents beforehand.
Prepare an Inventory of All Property
You should always speak to a Tampa pre-divorce planning attorney before deciding to move out of the family home. If it is in your best interests, you should first take an inventory of the property within the home. Photos and videos of these items can also be helpful in the future when they need to be valued and distributed between you and your spouse.
Our Pre-Divorce Planning Attorney in Tampa Can Help You Plan
Divorce is never an easy thing for people to go through, but some planning can definitely make it easier. At Florida Law Advisers, P.A., our Tampa pre-divorce planning attorney can advise on the important steps to take to ensure you are fully prepared for the process so you obtain the fairest settlement possible. Call us today at 1 (800) 990-7763 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more.
