Preparing For Divorce

Assistance, preparedness, and relief before, during, and after divorce

preparing for a divorce

Divorce can be a devastating process. It has both emotional and financial impacts. It’s a delicate and emotional time that can easily result in making poor decisions. The decisions you make during this challenging phase can affect your finances for an extended period. Making thoughtful, logical, and wise decisions can shorten the time it takes to recover financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Each person has a unique situation and his/her own reason for filing for divorce. The court looks at marriage and divorce logically.

Divorce is a process, not an event. At Option29.org, my team and I guide you with a step-by-step process in preparing for divorce. There is much to be accomplished and done before, during, and after divorce. Some tasks don’t require much thought. Some choices are easy to make, while some can feel like impossible things to do. We help you make the right decisions at the right time.

Forego the emotional roller coaster, retain financial security

Making poor choices during divorce can be emotionally draining, and they often lead to financial misfortune. Our proven program, checklists, and workbook provide you with tools to help you handle all aspects of divorce under the guidance of trained professional coaches. Our coaching program also provides you with interim divorce coach contact to offer you support and advice at every step. You will also get access to a wealth of online resources, including homework assignments and a gratitude journal that helps you live an intentional life.

Overcome the “can’t afford it” mentality

My team and I can help you separate emotion from logic to better survive a divorce with less anxiety and stress. And when you know what to do and how to do it, you’ll find that there is always a way to afford it. Our program is affordable and designed for busy people who need a structured, organized, condensed roadmap for divorce. So you spend more time taking care of yourself during this challenging time and less time wondering what to do next. Thus saving you time, money, resources, and energy.

Preparing For Divorce Financial Health Assessment Do-it-Yourself Workbook

This workbook, Preparing For Divorce Financial Health Assessment helps you make thoughtful decisions about your finances, marriage, health, and future. It provides you the checklists and planning needed to prepare for your divorce without the financial strain.

You’ll have a roadmap to get you where you want to go.

You’ve taken the first step in taking back your power. Whether you want to save your marriage, prepare for divorce, or something else entirely, we’re here to help you make the right decisions. We aren’t trying to persuade you one way or the other but helping you make an informed decision that is right for you.

Surviving Divorce Emotionally and Financially

Divorce can be so overwhelming that it can cause anxiety, depression, and behavioral changes. We understand that you may feel completely lost and lonely. It can be tempting to just hide, ignore, and be numb. You may want to crawl into bed, pull the covers over your head and pretend it isn’t happening. But I’m sure you’re wise to know that won’t solve or change anything.

Don’t be a passive observer, so take control of the divorce process. By listening to your chosen divorce coach, attorney, or professional, you will be better prepared to make good decisions.

Taking an active role in your divorce process is the best way to get through a divorce. Even if you are not the initiator, your active role will set the tone of your journey ahead. This will allow you to negotiate a better settlement. Your divorce may likely take less time, be less stressful and cost less money.

If you do not have time to prepare for divorce or feel overwhelmed and lost, we can help. Our coaches will walk you through all of the steps to prepare for divorce – from discussing divorce with your partner, dividing assets and debts, and crafting a parenting plan. We even take a few steps further and help you become whole and thrive after divorce. Everything we offer is to help you get back to re-establishing yourself.

How to cope with a divorce after a long marriage or partnership

You are not alone in your divorce. Life is full of change – some good, some bad. It’s when we can turn to a community for the support that makes all the difference. Connecting with a support group is critical during a divorce process. You may find opportunities to connect based on faith, interests, age, and gender. Listen to your inner voice and values to choose your support groups. This connection with others who are going through similar situations or have been there before will empower you to survive your divorce. Whatever your circumstances, we’re here to support you through it. 

Preparing For divorce and budgeting your money go hand-in-hand. This step is often forgotten as your relationship and life change. Many people who are divorcing often make incorrect assumptions about where their financial situation is going. Learning to budget the money you have can help get you through the divorce process while still preserving your assets. Take our budgeting class and feel empowered. You can turn things around for yourself, which will help you feel more comfortable during the divorce process.

Discover How to Survive a Divorce With Your Finances Intact

At Option29 we coach and advise our clientcouples, clientfamily through the anger and frustration of preparing for divorce, while having the courage to face the changing nature of their relationship. The fact is that there is a change in your property, inheritance, home, debt, finances. Every client is different and so we personalize our coaching to fit your individual needs. The information below can provide seven important strategies and tips to get your finances in order before, during, and after divorce. Whether you are the petitioner or the respondent party, I am sure this article will interest you.

1. Bank Accounts: Open your own bank account and close any joint accounts with your spouse or partner. If you are getting divorced, you don’t want to be stuck with any financial liabilities your soon-to-be-ex creates. This doesn’t just include bank accounts. Any credit cards are also potential nightmares. Immediately contact your credit card companies and bank to explain your personal situation.

Open new accounts in just your name. This might be easier to do before closing the joint accounts. Ensure that you’ll have access to money throughout the divorce process.

2. Consider your housing situation: This can be incredibly complicated with the presence of children. Otherwise, it’s often easier to sell the home and move on. Couples often make decision regarding their home property keeping their children in mind. When minor children are part of the picture, it’s often best to consult with an attorney to examine your options. Or work with a friend, a lawyer, a divorce mediator to negotiate your living situation.

3. Be aware of all your assets: Do you know the full extent of your financial holdings during your marriage? In many cases, one spouse handles the financial matters, and the other is happy to stay out of it. Now is the time to dig in and develop an accurate picture of what you have. You might be surprised by what you discover. Check out my best-selling do-it-yourself workbook Preparing For Divorce Financial Health Assessment with checklists and action plans, or Privately Preparing For Divorce webinar.

Once you gather the info and have clarity of your financial assets, the next step is that you have to collectively decide how to handle the assets. Do you split them? Sell them and split the proceeds? Or hire a lawyer and battle it out? Contested and uncontested divorces have different routes and legal requirements. Knowing your rights in your case will help you prepare for divorce and shed light on your option.

4. Take a look at all your insurance needs: You might need to get on your own medical insurance plan and auto insurance too. What other items do you still own that need to be insured? Your insurance costs might be much less now. There’s no reason to carry more insurance than you need. Your situation has changed, so re-evaluate your insurance needs.

5. Create a new budget: Your income and expenses have changed, so it only makes sense that your budget will change too. If you’ve gone from a two-income household to a single-income, there’s likely less margin for error. Create a budget that makes sense for your new circumstances. Talk to a friend with whom you can be totally transparent and someone who has your back. We also run a budgeting class that helps you plan your finances better.

6. Change beneficiaries on your life insurance and retirement accounts: There’s a good chance that your beneficiary was your spouse. You’ll probably want to list new beneficiaries but make sure this change is executed after the divorce is granted. For most accounts, this is easily accomplished by filling out a simple form. This step is often overlooked. Ensure that your assets go to those whom you want to have them in the event of your death.

7. Get copies of your credit report: It’s essential to know where you stand financially and be aware of all of your accounts. Your spouse may have opened a joint account or credit card without your knowledge. Better credit makes it easier for you to move through the world. You can make your case stronger if you know what is on your credit report, and financial statements.

Divorce is a difficult time for all. But a divorce can be challenging if financial matters are not handled intelligently. Focusing your attention on housing, debt, income, and assets will make the transition easier.

These tips highlight the basics. In many instances, an attorney will be required. But understanding the fundamental issues will make it easier to make wise decisions. Apply these strategies to your circumstances and get the professional guidance you need.

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