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If You’re Going Through A Divorce, Do Your Homework

On Behalf of | Oct 21, 2021 | Family Law And Divorce

Divorce can be a scary, angry, and bitter time full of emotions. You joined your life with someone and it didn’t work out. What happens next? What if you lose your children, your home, or half of what you own? There are plenty of questions and the last thing you should do is approach the situation without understanding how it all works. That’s why you need to call a Family Law attorney in Kalamazoo today to help guide you through it all.

Most people who file for divorce have thought through it enough to realize it’s time to move on. Even if there’s been infidelity, there’s a time of separation and reflection on the whole situation. Even if it’s time to file, the process of doing the actual filing should be planned out so you’re not going into it unprepared for what’s about to happen. If you’re the spouse that receives the divorce papers, you might find yourself blindsided. But, what should you do? What actions should be taken? Let’s take a look.

The First Step After a Divorce is Decided Upon

Even before you hire a lawyer to help you through the divorce process, the first thing you should do is to find all your financial statements and documents. What are all the details you have about your finances, assets, and money? What are all of your account numbers, retirement accounts, and where are your bank statements? Do you share credit cards or have a joint bank account? Your entire financial life will need to be examined, so it’s best to find all the paperwork you can regarding that, including all the bills you pay for.

Along with your financial information, you will need to look for your mortgage paperwork. Who owns the home? Did you sign the lease with your partner? Who has been making payments and how were those payments taken care of? What is the total balance remaining on your mortgage? Do you owe any property taxes? Write everything you can down explaining how all the bills are paid and taken care of.

Hiring a Lawyer

The next step in the process is to find your marriage certificate. They won’t let you get a divorce in the U.S. unless you have it. The only exception to the rule is if you were married outside of the country. Otherwise, you will need it. If you don’t have it or can’t find it, then it should be easy to obtain a copy for your records. Once you have everything together, it’s time to contact a family law attorney to help you through the rest.

The divorce process won’t be easy, so having a lawyer by your side and to defend your rights is a step in the right direction. With a lawyer, you’ll be able to create a plan and discuss any potential pitfalls or consequences you might face during the proceedings. This is especially important if you have children in the mix. There will be a lot of tasks before you accomplish. Separating two lives that have been united won’t be easy. To learn more about the divorce process and to get help, contact Herbert Machnik Law Firm here.

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