How To Prepare For An Impending Divorce

Divorce is usually an immensely stressful process for most people. Many separations feature tremendous emotion and arguments; even an amicable divorce can result in considerable legal issues. Regardless of your case circumstances, you should always seek the advice and counsel of an experienced Skokie divorce lawyer.

This blog post will teach you some of the most important ways to prepare for a divorce. If you have specific legal questions regarding property division, child support, child custody, or alimony, please contact our family law attorneys today at (312) 360-0250. Our attorneys can review your case, help you prepare for the divorce process, and offer the best legal representation going forward.

Determine The Kind Of Divorce You Want

Many people might think divorce is a one-size-fits-all process, but that is untrue. There are many types of divorce you can pursue in Illinois. They include contested divorce, uncontested divorce, mediated divorce, and collaborative divorce. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, and some forms of divorce may not be possible, depending on the situation. Talk to your attorney about your case, and they can determine which type of divorce may be the best choice.

Collect Legal Documents

Even the most straightforward divorce has extensive paperwork. So, start collecting the necessary documents as soon as you decide to move forward with the process. Some of the documents you may need include:

  • Tax returns
  • Financial records and bank statements
  • Property appraisals
  • Wills
  • Pay stubs
  • Profit-and-loss statements if you are self-employed
  • Retirement account statements

Your attorney will help you determine the documents you need to proceed with the divorce. You could speed up the process by having the abovementioned documents available when you first sit down with your Skokie divorce attorney.

List Your Assets

Next, write an inventory of all assets you and your spouse have. This will be important when it is time to divide marital property. In Illinois, it is required for the marital estate to be divided equitably, but not necessarily 50/50. Determining marital and separate property will be of critical importance and your asset inventory should list the following:

  • Property that each party acquired before the marriage
  • Property that was obtained by legacy, gift, or descent
  • Property that was obtained for property that was acquired before you were married
  • Property that was obtained after there was a legal separation
  • Property that was excluded according to a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement

List Your Expenses

When you get a divorce, your expenses and debts may change considerably, so the sooner you start work on a new household budget, the better. Some of the costs that you should remember to include are

  • Auto payments
  • College expenses
  • Student loan payments
  • Utility expenses
  • Mortgage and rent expenses
  • Other household expenses that existed during the marriage

Collect Income Information

Next, you should gather information about what you and your spouse earn. Legal decisions about child support, alimony, and property division depend on each party’s income. So, it is essential to have comprehensive income information available.

Contact Our Skokie Divorce Lawyers Today

If you take the advice above as you prepare for a divorce, you will be in a better personal and financial situation as the process unfolds. You also should prepare for what is coming by seeking the advice of a knowledgeable Skokie divorce lawyer at Gordon & Perlut, LLC. Our attorneys have years of experience achieving the best case outcomes for our clients, so call us today at (312) 360-0250.