DIVORCE PREPARATION
|
The necessary requirements of a successful divorce in New York include preparation on three different levels: mental, emotional and financial. Before you start your divorce case, before you take any action, prepare yourself and think about your case, your life, your children and make a detailed, specific list of everything you want to achieve including the divorce or separation, consistent with your life values and goals, your children's best interests, property and overall financial security.
The issues of the legal divorce in New York are very specific with regard to your finances, the equitable distribution of marital property, custodial arrangements that are in your children's best interests, child support and maintenance. |
|
|
1. Keep an expense journal
Keep a journal of all expenses with receipts, especially your children's expenses 2. Put your papers in order Put your divorce papers in order. Keep copies of important financial documents in a secure place. Financial papers, include tax returns, insurance policies and bank statements, investment accounts, salaries and benefit programs. 3. Keep your documents secure Make sure that your valuable documents are stored in a safe place and obtain a safe address for your personal mail. 4. Open a bank account in your name Open a new bank account in your name at a bank where your spouse does not do business. Start putting away as much money as possible, on a regular basis. Later on, when you separate, you will need to have available funds to retain a divorce attorney and to pay for your day to day living expenses in case your spouse refuses to pay for your support. If your spouse withholds financial support, it will place a financial burden on you until an application for temporary support and maintenance can be heard and decided by the court. 5. Don't quit your job Do not quit or leave your job if you are employed. It is important to maintain and secure your financial independence and earn enough to maintain assets such as your home. |
6. Establish credit
Try to establish personal credit relationships (gasoline credit cards, department stores and national credit car companies such as Visa, Master Card, etc.) 7. Keep inheritances separate Keep all inheritances separate from the marital estate. Do not put an inheritance into joint names with your spouse and do not use your inheritance money to pay for family expenses or purchases or to pay down debts. 8. Save receipts While still married and living together with your spouse, it is advisable to save all of the receipts for major purchases and prepare an inventory of all of the property and assets acquired during the marriage. 9. Have access to your car Make sure that your car is in good working condition and that it is titled jointly or preferably in your sole name. 10. Do not speak to your spouse before consulting with a experienced divorce lawyer!
|
