(Newswire.net — August 21, 2021) — Planning for a divorce can be a stressful process.
From wondering where to get your divorce papers to how it might affect your children emotionally, you could find yourself in a tizzy.
But with the correct information and simple guidelines, preparing for a divorce in Arizona does not have to cause huge amounts of anxiety.
In this “all you need to know” article, we will pull back the curtain and make the divorce process a little easier for you.
Why should you prepare for a divorce?
Preparing for a divorce is imperative if you want to secure your future — both financially and emotionally. Without the proper preparation, your finances could end up in a mess, meaning that you miss out on alimony, a home, or even child maintenance.
Also, one of the hardest things about divorce is that your relationship with your children could also be negatively affected if you do not prepare adequately.
How to prepare for your divorce
Step 1: Start collecting evidence & documents
It’s crucial to collect all the correct documents when you are preparing for a divorce. This can include family records, financial statements, your marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, the deed to your home, and so on.
Make copies of all these important documents because in Arizona, once the divorce proceedings begin, you might not be able to access your family home, even if it still legally belongs to you. You might, for example, have a spouse who refuses access to the family home.
Sadly some divorces can get ugly. So be prepared for the worst.
Two orders could be held against a spouse, namely, Orders of Protection and a Divorce Preliminary Injunction.
That is why getting all the correct paperwork ready BEFORE your divorce is essential.
You will also need to prepare financial disclosures. If you think your spouse might be hiding assets, be sure to discuss this with your lawyer.
Step 2: Decide which divorce option is best for you
Contested Divorce
If you have a contested case (meaning that you and your spouse can’t agree on the division of property, assets, and child custody), you will need to hire a divorce lawyer.
A lawyer who specializes in family law will be able to help you get the best out of your divorce, whether it’s the house, the car, or even custody of your children.
They will be able to offer you expert legal advice and get the ball rolling to file for your divorce.
Just remember, though, that divorce lawyers are expensive. You could end up paying up to $550 per hour. You might even get charged for every phone call and email.
Be sure to check exactly what you are paying for before hiring a lawyer. Read the contract thoroughly.
Ask for an exact breakdown of all costs. This will ensure that you don’t have any nasty surprises at the end of your proceedings.
Uncontested Divorce
If you can, an uncontested divorce is the better option. It means that you and your spouse can come to an amicable agreement on how to divide assets and on child custody, for example.
With an uncontested divorce, you can use an online divorce service. Not only will this be inexpensive, but it will be faster and less stressful.
Why?
Well, for several reasons.
Firstly, the online divorce service will prepare the correct documentation for you. Once the paperwork has been prepared, you will receive it within two working days, ready to file at your local clerk’s office.
For them to know a little bit more about your specific case, you will need to answer a basic online questionnaire to see if you qualify.
This makes the entire process simple. You can literally get the paperwork work completed for filing while sitting in bed.
Secondly, it is much cheaper than hiring a divorce lawyer. Most online services offer packages for as little as $139. Some services offer to file your paperwork as well as other perks for a higher cost.
Thirdly, it’s fast. Instead of waiting for a lawyer to prepare your paperwork for you, which could take time, you can get your divorce papers within two working days.
Fourthly, it’s convenient. You don’t need to arrange for a babysitter to watch the kids while meeting with a lawyer.
Some web divorce services also offer lawyers on call at an extra fee if you have any legal questions that need answering.
Once you decide how to proceed with your divorce, you can then start the process and file your papers at your clerk’s office.
Step 3: Prepare a budget
Before you get divorced, make sure that you have a list of all household expenses. This will help you know what you need to budget for when living alone. If you do get the house, for example, can you pay for all the up-keep expenses? How much money do you need for groceries, fuel, life insurance, and medical?
Can you pay for everything on one income? These are essential things to consider before you get divorced.
Start saving money before starting any divorce process. And if you are not currently employed, look for a job that suits your needs.
Step 4: Prepare yourself and your kids emotionally
Divorce wreaks havoc on emotions. It can cause anger, sadness, and confusion. Kids might feel afraid, unsure, and unloved. Depending on your child’s age, they might even blame themselves for your divorce.
The most important thing is to support your kids emotionally. Let them know that you and your spouse love them and that they are still your main priority.
If you feel like you or your kids are struggling emotionally, be sure to speak to a counselor who can help you find ways to cope.
In Conclusion
Divorce is a big step. But if you have the right tools, resources, and support, you will be okay.