Divorce can be a time of great uncertainty. There are major life changes that come with no longer being in a relationship. The fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. Here are 4 common divorce fears that you may face, and how to overcome them.
The Process
The physical act of filing for divorce can be daunting. You need to find a lawyer, fill out the paperwork, dance through temporary orders, and get to the final decree. So many things have to be done, and there’s a 60 day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. Sometimes, the other person is cooperative; sometimes, not so much.
The process is what your lawyers is being paid to handle. Trust your lawyer to lead you through the process, and be a team player within. I give my clients a road map at the beginning, so they always know where we are in the process. Unlike other attorneys, my clients have my cell phone, in order to call or text me anytime with questions or concerns. I treat all my clients as if they were my own sister/brother or best friend.
The Money
Divorce can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Attorney fees and other expenses are a legitimate concern when contemplating divorce. There are filing fees, attorney fees, deposits for utilities in your own name, moving expenses… the list goes on. This doesn’t factor in situations such as a non-breadwinner, now wondering how to make things work on their income alone. When children are involved, these fears include making sure that there will be enough to take care of them.
A part of the process is to calculate what the numbers are currently, and what they are going to be post-divorce. This will help determine issues such as child or spousal care payment needs. Some investments are locked into funds or accounts that aren’t immediately accessible. Having spent 22 years as an attorney, I have the experience and knowledge to help each client navigate the process, while trying to keep as much of your own money in your own pocket.
The Home
When there is a divorce, one person is generally forced to relocate. Who keeps the home or not can cause a lot of worry regarding options of where to go. I can help you make those hard decisions.
The Paperwork
There are a lot of documents in a relationship. Living together can create a mix of utilities in some names but not others, cars owned by both parties, and joint accounts. It is often recommended to clients that they download something such as the DocScan App. This makes it easy to snap a picture of documents and keep them organized when it comes time for the due diligence of the divorce. If you can do some homework and investigation before you file, you can help take the fear out of what there is to divide.
While a divorce is a lawsuit, you do not have to handle it alone. In fact, post COVID, there is no reason you have to ever step foot in the courthouse to have your divorce granted. It is normal to experience fear with so many changes going on at once, but I can help you through it. It is possible to find peace within the storm!