The decision to end a marriage
is not an easy to one make. When you think you have reached a point where divorce
is the only option, it’s important to think critically about your next steps
before you proceed.
One major thing you should
consider when thinking about divorce is your finances. Regardless of your
current financial situation, divorce can put a strain on any family’s budget,
particularly those where the couple relies on one income.
Before you file for divorce, think
about your current cash flow and your debt obligations. It’s important to know
what you will be able to afford after your divorce. Include your mortgage or
rent, cost of groceries, child care and general living expenses in your thought
process.
Consider making a budget and
researching any expenses you may incur as a newly single person or a newly
single parent. Monthly maintenance payments, or support checks from one party
to another, are not guaranteed, so factor your budget based on the possibility
that you may have to solely rely on your own income for a period of time.
If you are not currently
employed, it may benefit you to begin looking for a job or seeking out job
training programs. It can sometimes take many months for a case to make its way
through the court process, so consider how you will pay bills in the meantime.
Other key considerations include
parenting arrangements for those couples with children. Think about what you
will do if you are the primary caregiver for the next few months. Identify your
support network or those people you can rely on if you need help as a single
parent. If this network includes your current spouse, be sure to create a
mutually agreed upon schedule and set of boundaries. This can help lay the
groundwork for a parenting plan after divorce.
