Getting a divorce is usually not an easy task. The process can be emotional as you’ll have to properly divide your assets, settle your debts and determine who will have custody of the children. A divorce can take months or even years to settle, which is why you need to know how to take the process steps to make the process as efficient as possible. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re a Florida resident.
Consider mediation instead of litigation
A lawyer may expedite the process, which can help you get through the emotional aspects of divorce a little easier. A lawyer will let both spouses know the advantages and drawbacks of litigation. This allows you to determine the best course of action for your divorce and to request mediation if possible to keep the divorce from lasting longer than it needs to.
Gather your financial information
It’s important to know where you stand financially when you’re facing a divorce. This will help to determine how your debts and marital assets will be distributed.
You should know what you own and which assets you and your spouse own jointly. For instance, your joint bank accounts, the home you lived in as a family and vehicles that you purchased together should be divided equally. However, your inheritance, belongings you brought into the marriage and pension plans may be awarded to you alone.
You should have documentation for all of your assets. The documents should indicate how much the assets are worth and when they were purchased. Give these documents to your lawyer, and make sure you keep copies for your records.
When your finances are organized from the start, the divorce process can proceed more quickly. Hopefully, your spouse is open to negotiation through mediation regarding how to divide assets and custody.