While divorce may consistently become more and more common, it still brings significant emotional and financial issues for all involved. It can be difficult to foresee how decisions you make today could impact you in the future. If your divorce is particularly contentious—or you expect it to be—you may even reach a point where you feel it is easier to simply let your spouse have whatever they want so you can walk away. This is where a strong, experienced divorce lawyer can help be your advocate. When you are feeling overwhelmed, a divorce lawyer from Lauriston Law Firm can step in and help you make the right steps forward to accomplish the goals you are looking for.
What Should I Do Before I File for Divorce?
The first point before pursuing a divorce – is this what you really want? Do you want to move forward in this direction? If you think there’s no hope for a better future, we are here to tell you, you deserve one, and we’re here to help. Make sure divorce is what you want, and if so, consult a knowledgeable divorce attorney. Additional tasks you can do before you file for divorce that can help in the future:
- Make sure you have copies of all marital financial documents and that they are organized. The easier to reference, the easier it will be to communicate to your attorney. Past tax returns, bank statements, retirement account statements, investment statements, employee benefits, mortgage documents, automobile titles and financing information, SS statements, family trust information, and life insurance policy information will all come into play.
- If possible, make sure you have at least three months’ worth of financial resources—that is, enough money to cover three months of your typical expenses. If you want to be on the safe side, you can always shoot for more. The bigger cushion you can give yourself during a difficult time, the better.
- Try to keep your children out of the nuts and bolts of the divorce. If possible, it is best to ensure both parents are on the same page about communicating the divorce to children. Have a general idea of what type of timesharing and visitation you want moving forward.
- Apply for a credit card in your own name in case you only have joint accounts.
- If there is a history of domestic violence, make sure you have a safety plan in place prior to filing for divorce.
- Unless you are in danger from your spouse, don’t move out of the marital home until you’ve discussed it with your divorce lawyer.
- Do your best to remain civil and treat your spouse with respect.
Can I Use Social Media During My Divorce Proceeding?
While social media can be a great way to stay connected, if you are thinking about divorce, are in the process of a divorce, or have completed your divorce, you should be extremely careful about your social media presence. Lawyers can—and do—use social media to find incriminating evidence of a spouse’s wrongdoing. Even though Florida is a no-fault state, clear evidence of adultery could potentially affect asset division.
No matter how hurt or angry you are about the divorce, never post anything negative about your spouse. Ask your friends and family members to refrain from posting negative comments—or really, any comments—about your divorce. If your divorce is contentious, remove your spouse from your social media profile and make your accounts private. If you think that sounds like a difficult task, we recommend deactivating some of your accounts until proceedings are complete.
Even after your divorce, remember that not all legal agreements are permanent. A change in your lifestyle could lead to changes in the terms of an agreement. In other words, suppose one spouse has convinced the judge that they are too poor to pay alimony, then they post a photo on social media regarding a brand new $80,000 boat. This could result in the issue being revisited. In the same vein, a good timesharing decision could be altered by a post of another.
How a Divorce Lawyer from Lauriston Law Firm Can Help
When you choose an experienced divorce lawyer from Lauriston Law Firm, you have chosen attorneys who will always go the extra mile for their clients, and who take pride in our transparency. As we work to find the solutions you are looking for, we will always ensure you have all the facts. Those who want a fierce advocate during their divorce will find that at the Lauriston Law Firm. When you combine our advocacy with our knowledge and skill, you have a law firm that will use every resource at our disposal to help you through your divorce. If you want a divorce lawyer who will work hard to ensure your future is as secure as possible, contact Lauriston Law Firm today.