3 Tips For Filing For Divorce
According to researchers, marriages have a 50% success rate of being able to last. If you’re facing a marriage breakup after doing everything you can to save it, you may be looking for divorce advice on what to do next. Here are three tips for filing for divorce.
Hire An Attorney
Divorces can get complicated, so it’s wise to hire an experienced divorce attorney. They can provide you with divorce assistance with things like child custody and support, spousal support, and property division. If you can’t afford to hire a divorce lawyer, you can represent yourself in court. You’ll need to contact your county clerk and request all the necessary paperwork for divorcing your spouse.
Gather Documents
There are a number of documents you’ll need to have during the divorce process. You’ll need to provide social security numbers and other relevant information for all the members of your household. The court will also want to know the date and the county in which the marriage occurred. If you were married prior to the current marriage, you may be asked to provide a divorce decree or other proof for the previous marriage. You may also want to provide other documents related to the marriage such as a prenuptial agreement, marriage counseling attempts, and restraining orders, if applicable.
The court will also want information on your finances. Be prepared to provide up to three years of tax returns, proof of current income, bank account information, and a list of assets and liabilities. The best divorce advice for gathering documents is to keep all the originals and provide copies of any documentation to your attorney.
File The Divorce Petition
Once you or your attorney completes all the necessary paperwork and files it with the court, a summons will be served to your spouse. Your spouse will have a certain number of days to respond, depending on what state you live in. The petition will state the grounds for the divorce and what you’re seeking from it, such as joint custody, the house, or cars. If you’re representing yourself, do your best to stick to only the facts about what you want and stay away from making any emotional statements.
The process of separating permanent isn’t easy, so it’s a good idea to have divorce advice from legal representation to protect you along the way. There will be numerous decisions you’ll have to make, and it can be hard when you’re facing a whirlwind of emotions. Having legal help with divorce will help you start your new life in the best way possible.