According to the CDC, the US marriage rate is 6.8 per 1,000. What may be alarming is that the divorce rate is 3.6 per 1,000. Since that’s more than 50% of the marriage rate, it may seem like the odds are stacked against you. And even though it’s not something any newlywed wants to think about, divorce is a reality that a significant percentage of the population has to eventually face.
We all know that modern life moves very fast. Regardless of your specific occupation, chances are you feel like your cellphone is always telling you something new you need to know. Additionally, you probably have trouble remembering the last time you felt like your schedule wasn’t overflowing with obligations.
Because we all have so many tasks on our plate each and every day, it’s actually quite easy to continually push off larger issues. That’s why many couples may initially attempt a strategy that’s similar to sweeping their problems under the rug. Unfortunately, that’s simply not an approach that works with relationships.
As a result, the time will eventually come when a couple has to face what’s gone wrong between the two of them. However, just because this issue comes to light doesn’t mean a decision will be immediately made. Instead, plenty of couples continue trying to work things out throughout the remainder of the year. That common attempt at reconciliation is actually why January has the most divorces out of any other month.
Ideally, one of the attempts that you make with reconciling with your significant other will work out. But as we previously touched on, that’s simply not how things go for many couples. So if the time eventually comes when a couple realizes that there’s nothing left to salvage, the only course of action that’s left is to go through a divorce.
While divorce can be a very challenging experience for both men and women, for the purpose of today’s post, we’re going to focus on actionable advice for women. Specifically, let’s cover the steps a woman should take once it becomes clear that it’s only a matter of time until a formal divorce is set into motion:
Get Organized
Having copies of recent income tax returns, business financial statements, income information, personal property tax returns, banking information, loan applications, stock options, pension details, life insurance policies and outstanding debts can be very helpful as the divorce process gets underway. The reason it’s worth getting these documents in advance is because if you wait until formal proceedings begin, obtaining them can involve a significant amount of expense, time and unpleasantness.
When it comes to securing the documents, you have two main options. The first is give them to a family member or friend that you feel you can completely trust. If that’s not something you can do, your other option is to store them in a lockbox where only you have access.
Know Your Credit
Finances play a huge role in most divorces. And because credit is what will allow you to start building a new financial future after a divorce, it’s crucial to know where you stand. Additionally, checking out this information in advance and then periodically monitoring it will allow you to resolve any outstanding issues before all your attention is drawn into the divorce process that gets underway.
Start Having Consultations with Lawyers
While it’s important to take action on your own, this isn’t a process that you’re going to want to go through without any help. As a result, it’s crucial to start looking into who’s going to represent you once this matter makes its way into court. The most effective way to do that is by getting in touch with experienced firms who practice in your local area. For example, if you live in Raleigh, a consultation with Charles R. Ullman & Associates is only a phone call away.
Divorce is never an easy process. And even when it starts on amicable grounds, there’s always a chance that it can quickly turn ugly. Because there’s simply no way to know exactly how this process may play out, the best thing is to face reality head on from the very start. By not trying to avoid thinking about what’s happening, you’ll be able to properly prepare and put yourself in the best possible position.
