If you are thinking about filing for divorce in 2023, you are not alone. Divorce filings typically increase after the holidays, as many spouses decide to put the past behind them and take the first steps toward their post-divorce life once the New Year arrives.
There are several steps involved in getting ready for a divorce. One of the first steps is simply to learn about the divorce process—what you can expect, what you should do to prepare, and what mistakes you need to avoid. To help you get started, here is our guide to getting divorced in Arizona in 2023:
Your Checklist for Getting Started
When approaching the divorce process, taking a systematic approach can help you stay organized and avoid overlooking issues that you will need to address. Divorcing spouses will typically need to address a variety of issues, and it is important that both spouses make informed decisions with their own personal long-term best interests in mind.
A great way to stay organized is to use a checklist. Our divorce preparation checklist covers everything from financial and property-related matters to looking ahead to your post-divorce life. You can access our checklist here: 25 Steps to Take When Preparing for a Divorce in Arizona.
Avoiding Mistakes During Your Divorce Preparations
As you work through our checklist, there are some mistakes you will want to be careful to avoid. Mistakes made early in the process will often lead to complications later on. Fortunately, many of the most-common mistakes are easy to avoid once you have a general understanding of the legal principles involved.
So, how can you avoid derailing your divorce before it formally begins? Here is an article we published on mistakes to avoid: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for a Divorce in Arizona.
Deciding Whether To Pursue an Uncontested Divorce
There are two main types of divorces in Arizona. The first type is a contested divorce. In a contested divorce, one or both spouses are unwilling to negotiate, and they decide that it is in their best interests to take their divorce in front of a judge.
The second type is an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorces involve negotiating an amicable resolution, and they are usually far less time-consuming and costly than their contested counterparts. To decide whether it makes sense for you to pursue an uncontested divorce, you can read: If You Answer “Yes” to These 10 Questions, An Uncontested Divorce May Be Your Best Option.
Deciding Whether To Pursue Mediation or a Collaborative Law Divorce
In many cases, spouses who choose to pursue an uncontested divorce will still need help coming to terms. This is not only common, but it is also healthy, as it means that both spouses are thinking independently and focusing on setting themselves up for a stable future.
When divorcing spouses are willing to work together but struggling to come to terms on their own, they have two main options available. To learn about these options, you can read our page on Flat Fee Mediation and our article on Collaborative Law Divorce in Arizona.
Anticipating (and Avoiding) Problems During Your Divorce
One of the most important reasons to put effort into preparing for your divorce is to make sure you don’t encounter unexpected (and unnecessary) problems along the way. While several problems can arise during the divorce process, most—if not all—of these problems can be avoided with forethought and planning.
Avoiding these problems starts with understanding what they are and when they can arise. To help make sure your divorce gets started on the right track, you can read: What Problems Can Arise During a Divorce in Arizona (and How Can You Avoid Them)?
Anticipating (and Avoiding) Problems After Your Divorce
Mistakes and oversights during a divorce can also lead to problems after the process. These problems can often be difficult (and expensive) to resolve. As a result, it is best to avoid them whenever possible—and this is entirely possible in most cases.
Just like avoiding problems during your divorce, avoiding problems after your divorce requires an informed and proactive approach. To find out how you can steer many of the most-common post-divorce disputes, you can read: 7 Issues That Can Arise After a Divorce (and How to Avoid Them in Arizona).
Setting Reasonable Expectations
No matter how you decide to tackle the divorce process, it is important to move forward with reasonable expectations. If your expectations are unreasonable, you won’t be able to make informed decisions, and you could end up delaying and adding costs to the process unnecessarily.
Most divorcing spouses have reasonable expectations, and any unreasonable expectations they may have are usually based on misconceptions about the divorce process in Arizona. To make sure you are approaching your divorce with the right frame of mind, you can read: How to Set Reasonable Expectations for Your Arizona Divorce.
Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
While many spouses understandably have questions about the costs associated with hiring a divorce lawyer, the reality is that it can be far more costly to try to handle your divorce on your own. From overlooking marital assets to failing to secure the alimony or child support payments you deserve, there are numerous issues that an experienced divorce lawyer can help you avoid.
Plus, hiring a divorce lawyer isn’t (or doesn’t have to be) nearly as expensive as most people think. To learn more about the benefits of hiring a divorce lawyer, you can read: 10 Answers to Common Questions about Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in Arizona.
Start the Process with a Free Initial Divorce Consultation
Are you ready to file for divorce in 2023? If so, we invite you to schedule a free initial divorce consultation at Weingart Family Law. To discuss your divorce with an experienced Tempe, AZ family lawyer in confidence, give us a call at 480-550-8946 or tell us how we can reach you online today.