5 Ways to Prepare for a Divorce in Texas

 Posted on May 08, 2024 in Divorce

Divorces are often thought of as bitter, hostile, emotionally taxing procedures, and for good reason. Few divorces in Texas are uncontested, which means that the parties agree on all divorce-related issues. Most of them are contested and spouses clash on important issues.

There are ways, however, to prepare for a divorce that can make the process smoother. Your attorney will be able to guide you through divorce preparation and what to expect.

Here are five ways to prepare for a Texas divorce.

Talk to Your Family

Once you know your marriage will be ending, sit down with your family members and gently break the news to them. While it is not an easy conversation — especially when you discuss it with your children — it is important for several reasons:

• Your children need time to process the news of your divorce. The earlier you tell them, the more time they will have to adjust.

• Child custody will be one of the central issues that need to be ironed out during the divorce. If there is a dispute, a court will probably want to know what the child wants. This is a good time to find out if your child prefers to live with either parent and why.

• Divorce is often a grueling process and life after divorce requires major adjustments. You need all the support you can get. Let your family know in advance you are counting on their love and support for the near future.

Organize Your Finances

Another major point of dispute that often arises during divorce proceedings is how to divide marital property. In Illinois law, marital property refers to assets that belong to both you and your spouse. Dividing these assets is a complex legal procedure that should involve a skilled attorney.

You and your spouse will each need to submit a financial disclosure to the court that lists all your assets, expenses, and liabilities. Taking stock of your property now can make the asset division process much easier later on.

Keep in mind that you may be ordered to pay spousal support and/or child support. Make sure you are financially prepared.

Make New Living Arrangements

If your relationship with your soon-to-be ex-spouse is civil and communication is good, you may be able to decide together on who will continue living in the family home. If you and your spouse fail to communicate, do not agree, or decide that you will not be continuing your residency in the house, this is a good time to start looking for new living arrangements.

Work on a Parenting Plan

As part of the divorce process, you may need to submit a parenting plan to the court. This is a document that outlines how you and your spouse will co-parent your child. It includes such details as:

• Schedules for parenting time, or physical custody

• Transportation arrangements for the child between each parent and school

• Allocation of parental responsibilities and decision-making

Speak with your spouse now about these important decisions so that you can get a jump-start on the parenting plan and start preparing your child for life after divorce.

Contact a Denton County, TX Divorce Lawyer

One of the most vital steps in preparing for divorce is choosing the right lawyer. An experienced Prosper, Texas divorce attorney will be able to walk you through the different hurdles in the divorce process and guide you in how to prepare for them. At Pfister Family Law, we have decades of experience in helping couples prepare for divorce and life after divorce. Contact us for compassionate, skilled legal services by calling 972-954-6455 and schedule your consultation today.