With the end of the year fast approaching, now is a time when many dissatisfied spouses are thinking about divorce. As a result, if you are contemplating a divorce, you are not alone. In this situation, there are both steps you should take, and mistakes you should avoid—as making smart decisions now can help make the divorce process go much more smoothly.
So, what should you do (and what should you avoid) if you are contemplating a divorce in Arizona? Here are some essential “dos and don’ts” from Phoenix divorce attorney Adam Weingart:
What to Do When You Are Contemplating a Divorce
DO: Learn About the Divorce Process
One of the first things you want to do is learn about the divorce process. For most couples in Arizona, the process has five main components:
Of course, if you don’t have children from your marriage, the last two won’t apply. In this scenario, you can focus strictly on learning the basics of property division, debt division, and alimony under Arizona law.
DO: Start Collecting the Documents You Will Need
The divorce process is very document-intensive. While you can (and should) rely on your divorce lawyer to prepare all of the legal documents you will need during the process, you must gather several forms of documentation before you begin. If you start collecting the documents you need now, this will help make the rest of the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
DO: Learn About Your Options
From deciding how to divide your marital assets and debts to dealing with roadblocks when they arise, you will have options regarding virtually all aspects of your divorce. By learning about these options in advance, you can ensure that you will be ready to quickly make informed decisions when (and if) the time comes. Along with the links above, we encourage you to read this article on ways to keep your divorce out of court.
DO: Think About the Future
When preparing for a divorce, it is crucial to do so with a long-term perspective. As you weigh your options, you should think about the future. What will your finances look like after your divorce? Which specific assets will you want five or ten years from now? Which holidays and events do you most want to be able to spend with your children? These critical questions should be central to your decision-making before and during your divorce.
DO: Schedule a Free Consultation with a Divorce Lawyer
To ensure you make informed decisions in your long-term best interests, you should seek advice from an experienced divorce lawyer. Since you can schedule a free consultation, you have no reason not to do so. At Weingart Family Law, we are more than happy to walk you through what you need to know as you start preparing for the divorce process.
What Not to Do When You Are Contemplating a Divorce
DON’T: Rely on Flawed Assumptions or False Information
As you prepare for your divorce, you must avoid relying on flawed assumptions or false information. Among other concerns, Arizona’s divorce laws are unique in many respects, so information that might be true for other divorcing spouses won’t necessarily be accurate for you.
DON’T: Stress Over the Details (At Least Not Yet)
As you start collecting the necessary documents and thinking about your long-term priorities, you should avoid stressing over the details—at least for now. While there will come a time when you need to make sure that you have all of the information you need and that you are comfortable making final decisions about your divorce, there is no need to make yourself feel overwhelmed at this stage.
DON’T: Dismiss Options Before Giving Them Due Consideration
As mentioned above, divorcing spouses have options about nearly all aspects of the divorce process. Even if a choice doesn’t seem appealing, you should not dismiss it. These options exist for a reason, and divorcing spouses use them to their advantage in various circumstances. Once you learn more, you may find that an option that initially seemed unappealing actually makes a lot of sense for your divorce.
DON’T: Fixate on Things You Can’t Control
While it is essential to think about the future, avoiding fixating on things you can’t control is equally vital. You can control many things, and these are where you should focus your time and energy at this stage. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a step back and remember that you can always rely on your lawyer to help guide you forward. Keep making informed decisions, and if you don’t have all the information you need to make an informed decision, either skip ahead or call your lawyer.
DON’T: Try to Handle Your Divorce on Your Own
This brings us to our final point: You should not try to handle your divorce alone. There are many ways an experienced divorce lawyer can help you, and there are many reasons why having a skilled divorce lawyer on your side is essential. Relying on your lawyer’s advice will give you peace of mind during the divorce process and confidence in your decision-making once the process is over.
Request a Free Consultation with Phoenix Divorce Attorney Adam Weingart
Are you preparing for a divorce in Arizona? If so, we invite you to contact us for more information. To schedule an appointment with Phoenix divorce lawyer Adam Weingart, call 480-447-9610 or request a free consultation online today.