Divorce is not like other break-ups. You have to deal with the emotional toll of separating from your spouse, but you also have to consider the logistics that come with the process. If you are seeing your Florida marriage come to an end, you should know some important things before you file for divorce in a family law court.
Organize your money
If you and your spouse have joint bank accounts or retirement accounts, you’ll need to be aware of how much money is in each one. You may also want to talk to your spouse about how the money should be divided. Consider the funds you’ll need after you’re living on your own and have to be responsible for all of the bills in the household. You should also review your debts and determine which debt belongs to you and which accounts belong to your spouse. If you have an idea of what to expect when it comes to dividing your assets in a family law court, you can make the divorce process more efficient.
Establish your own credit
Before your divorce is final, you should take steps to create your own lines of credit. Before you go to court, you should know whether you’ll be ordered to pay child or spousal support or receive these payments. You’ll have to incorporate this into your budget which may mean establishing your own lines of credit. Applying for a credit card before your divorce is final could increase your chances of approval since your income will likely be higher.
Once you realize that you and your spouse are divorcing, your first instinct is likely to move out of the home. However, you may want to remain in the marital home until your divorce is finalized. This can help your children maintain a sense of normalcy and give you more time to come up with a post-divorce budget.