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Women Advised to Plan before Divorce

Divorce lawyers note that one of the most common mistakes made by women who want to leave their marriages is a lack of planning and forethought. Professionals note that quite often, the emotional aspects of a marriage in trouble overtake a woman's more sensible side, and she files for a divorce before she's thought out all of the ramifications of the split — especially the all-important financial consequences. 

Slowly, Carefully, and Counting Every Dime

As Newport Beach, California divorce attorney Violet Woodhouse advises, a woman should leave her husband "slowly, carefully, and counting every dime." Many lawyers recommend that a wife should take a two- to six-month period as a planning stage before even stating her desire for a divorce to her husband. As they point out, surviving a divorce emotionally is difficult enough without adding unnecessary financial suffering to the outcome. 

Professionals say it's wise to keep in mind the confirmed statistic: after divorce, a woman's standard of living is likely to fall by about 27 percent. This alarming finding is attributed to a number of factors, such as the many women who spend their marriages working at home, the lower earnings of women working outside the home (compared to men), and the great number of men who do not pay their court-ordered child support. 

Steps to Consider

Divorce attorneys recommend that when a woman is sure that she wants out of her marriage, she should: 

• Prepare "quietly" for a divorce — don't tell your husband until you're sure, and keep the matter to a small circle of trusted family members and friends. 
  
  
• Copy documents such as tax returns, bank statements, credit card balances, mortgage documents, and certificates of ownership — everything you can get your hands on. You can also make a copy of the hard drive of computers. 
  
  
• Consult a divorce lawyer — he or she can help you plan your post-marriage future and protect your legal rights. 
  
  
• Open your own, separate bank account and start saving money. 
  
  
• Establish your own credit record, if you haven't got one already. 
  
  
• Estimate your post-divorce financial needs — where you'll live, how you'll pay for your expenses. Make a detailed budget. If you have children, start planning now for their needs. College education and retirement costs must be considered now, not years down the line. 
  
  
• Don't count on spousal support (alimony) to cover everything. 
  
  
• Assess your "risk" — consider whether your spouse is reliable and can be counted on to meet his financial obligations to you (and his children). 
  

(Source: MSN) 

Get Legal Help before Filing for Divorce

If you are considering filing for divorce and would like legal counsel, contact us to speak to an experienced, qualified divorce attorney in your area for further advice.