Making a Plan for Your Divorce

 Posted on March 08, 2016 in Divorce

Filing for a divorce should not be a spontaneous decision-a divorce can affect the rest of your life. Therefore, it is important that you make the appropriate preparations before you file paperwork with the court.

When you take the time to first consult with a lawyer you will better understand what to expect and will have the best chance at a favorable outcome.

Understanding the Different Issues

The four main issues in a divorce are:

• Allocation of Parental Rights (Custody);
• Division of Marital Property;
• Child Support; and
• Spousal Maintenance (Alimony).

You will need to plan the best way to handle each of these areas. Some areas may be more complicated than others. If you have a business or significant assets, you may need more extensive planning when it comes to the division of the property than someone whose only asset is the family home.

Formulating a Strategy

Together with your lawyer, you can develop a strategy for approaching the divorce. This strategy will include what to ask for, if experts will be needed, how to best protect your assets, and what evidence you will want to have ready early on in the case.

It may be in your best interest to file for a temporary financial restraining order early on in the case to keep your spouse from hiding any assets. You may also want to be ready with a proposed parenting plan before you even file for divorce.

Gathering Evidence

Throughout the planning stage of the divorce you will need to be gathering evidence. Your lawyer will want to see financial documents that show the extent of your assets and debts. You will need to gather account statements, deeds to real property, and other financial documents.

If there is going to be a fight over whom the children will live with and what is in the best interest of the children, then you will also want to be ready with evidence that favors your desired outcome. This may include report cards and other documentation from the school, medical records, and anything else that can help show the judge why you provide the most stable option for the children.

Taking time to plan and prepare for your divorce will help you know what to expect, give you more confidence to take the step of filing the paperwork, and give you the best chance at a favorable outcome.

Speaking With a Skilled Illinois Family Law Attorney

If you are considering filing for divorce, you need to speak with a skilled DuPage County divorce lawyer right away. Find out how to best protect your rights. Call The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. today at 630-462-9500.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2086