Divorce Checklist: Planning For A Divorce

As divorce attorneys in Augusta, Georgia, every day, we talk with people who are thinking about, or in the process of, going through a divorce.  Of course, you don't have to be a divorce lawyer to realize that it might be helpful, if you are contemplating a divorce, for you to take steps to be prepared for it.  Here are a couple of practical tips for you to consider and for you to discuss with your own divorce attorney:

1.  GATHER FINANCIAL RECORDS:

If you are seriously considering a divorce, then you need to begin gathering all your financial records.  For instance, go ahead and try to put your hands on copies of your house deed, car titles, job earnings statements, (for both you and your spouse), credit card and loan documents, and copies of retirement account statements.  These documents will help you and your divorce lawyer to size up your financial situation, as you plan for your divorce.

2.  PLAN A BUDGET:

If you are thinking about getting a divorce, you also should sit down and plan a budget composed of what your expected monthly living expenses will be following the divorce.  Although some items, such as rent, groceries, or utilities, will be difficult to project, (especially if you are uncertain about where you will live), preparing a budget will at least help you to begin the process of estimating how much you will need to get by on.  Then, you will be in a better position to know how much money you will need to seek when you begin to discuss alimony, property division, and child support issues with your divorce attorney.

Going through divorce is almost never easy.  But I hope these practical divorce tips will help you focus on how to prepare, as you prepare for your own divorce!

Divorce and Financial Affidavits

Getting a divorce in Georgia, like elsewhere, I suppose, requires an incredible amount of paperwork and forms. But we, at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, at least try to put one of the forms, the financial affidavit, to good use.
Augusta, Georgia judges require all divorcing parties to prepare and submit a financial affidavit prior to the first, temporary hearing. In it, each party must generally set forth all assets, income, and debts. In addition, the financial affidavit contains a budget section in which each party must estimate all of his or her monthly living expenses, from the cost of groceries, to utilities, and other things, such as credit card debt.
It's this last section, the budget section, which we have found can be particularly helpful to many people going through a divorce. For instance, if you are planning to live alone in the future, (or with your kids), it should be a helpful exercise for you to sit down and plan a budget. The budget will then help you understand how much money you are going to need to make ends meet in the future. Then, you will be in a better position to know how much alimony, child support, and other income you will need in your new life!
So, you see, getting a divorce may involve a lot of forms, but some of these forms may be helpful to you in planning your future -- a happy future without your worthless spouse, "Sluggo."

Sitting Down and Planning a Budget

The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC handles divorces only in Georgia and primarily in the Augusta, Georgia area. But here's a helpful hint, or tip, for all of you who are contemplating a divorce, no matter where you are located. And it's something that many people often overlook, as I have learned when prospective divorce clients call my son or me every day to discuss what to expect in a divorce.

Here's the tip: Sit down and plan a new monthly budget, (for your new life). Even though it may only be an estimate, it will help guide you in making other decisions about your divorce. For example, we recommend that you carefully investigate and examine how much your rent, (or mortgage), cable, utilities, groceries, and other living expenses might cost in a "new" home or apartment. Now, this doesn't mean that a divorce lawyer can promise you'll get everything you need. However, you need to carefully analyze how much money you will need, (for you and your kids), each month, in order to survive financially. Only then, (after preparing such a budget), can you know approximately how much you may need to try to get, (i.e. squeeze), out of your spouse, "Sluggo," in the form of alimony, child support, or a property settlement.

I am sure you realize that this step is only one of many you will have to take. But preparing a budget for your new life will help you as you take additional steps along the way. Please be sure to discuss this idea with your own divorce lawyer, along with all your other questions about your divorce!