Regardless of challenges you and your partner may be facing, the decision to end a marriage should never be made lightly.If minor children are involved, given time to make sure it is the right course of action, divorce should be considered with a very cool head.Once the decision is made to file for divorce, it's important that men start preparing themselves for the tough legal road ahead.
Step 1: You can set up your own bank account.
You can open a new bank account with your name on it.Your wife will not be able to access this account.Make a deposit if you don't know what your state's law is.In Arizona, you can deposit half of the community's cash into your new bank account.
Step 2: You can open your own credit card account.
Only use your name to open a credit card account.Pay off the charges every month to establish and raise your credit score.Credit cards that are no longer in use should be canceled in your names.
Step 3: Your complete financial picture should be prepared.
To provide a complete family financial picture for your divorce, make copies of all documents going back at least one full year.If you don't know which documents are relevant to your case, let your attorney help you decide.If you can't find a specific file, you need to get the account numbers to access it later.Paystubs and income verifications are included in this information.
Step 4: Take precautions to protect your privacy.
Passwords for your financial, email, and social media accounts should be changed.If you want to communicate with your attorney, you need to open a new email account.If you suspect that your wife has obtained the password to any of these accounts, you should change them immediately and let your attorney know.There is a comment about staying off social media.
Step 5: You should prepare an inventory of your personal property.
Prepare an accurate list and take pictures of your personal property.Make sure to have a date stamp on the photos in order to go building-by-building.List each item as community or separate property if you live in a community property state.Assets accumulated by you and your wife are included in community property.Any property owned by either of you before or during the marriage is included in the separate property.
Step 6: Take items that are not replaceable.
In divorce, people take their frustration out by damaging, defacing, or destroying the other's property.Take items like early photos of your children and other family heirlooms, make copies and take photos, and store them in a safe deposit box that your wife does not have access to.
Step 7: Prepare for custody of your children.
A parenting journal can be used to keep track of what is happening to your children on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.Stay involved with your children's lives and maximize your parenting time if you plan on seeking primary physical custody.A parenting plan with everyone's schedule can help coordinate activities regardless of the custody decision.
Step 8: Make a list of important people.
You can learn the names of the people involved in your life and your children's lives.You should prepare a list of their phone numbers, addresses, and email information.Financial planners, accountants, and insurance agents, as well as family members and neighbors, are included.
Step 9: Don't use social media and email courteously.
Even though you have changed your passwords, your social media presence will still be scrutinized during your divorce.Don't insult your wife, her family, or her attorney.Any activity can be used against you in a child custody matter after the divorce is final.