Six Good Ways To Protect Yourself During A Divorce
There are steps you can take to protect yourself when it comes to divorce. When you first learn your spouse plans to or has already filed divorce papers, you may either have thought it was possible or find yourself completely taken by surprise. Coping with a divorce in Colorado may be a hard task either way, but you must take the measures required to guard you and your children legally, financially, and physically.
If you and your partner are not divorcing in an agreeable way, here are recommendations on how to best preserve your interests:
1.Gather important documents
Take the time to collect and copy your personal records such as your birth certificate and other important paperwork. This means all jointly owned documents such as your real estate papers, titles, bank statements, and tax returns. Make sure to safely store all of these papers and to give a copy to your spouse.
2. Avoid unnecessary financial expenses
You and your ex-spouse to be are probably going to need to save any money you can to prepare for the changeable days to come. Meet with your spouse to discuss excessive household expenses like cable TV and other utilities.
3. Don’t sign anything
If your spouse or the attorney for your spouse asks you to sign anything, tell them in polite terms that your attorney has asked you not to sign anything until your counsel looks over it. Sadly, many people have signed preliminary agreements and other paperwork that later caused custody or property battles to go against them.
4. Record all of your marital property
Inventory of all your marital properties, including your home and its contents. Here’s a suggestion. Go from one room to the next with a still camera or a video recorder. Photograph or film all your belongings with the camera’s date function turned on. If your spouse is unable to help you, give him or her a copy of your records.
5. Safeguard your personal property
Do you have valuable personal items or collections? Then find another place away from your family residence to keep them in the meantime. It should be pointed out that this is only applicable to personal property and not to marital property or common possessions. If you can, talk it over with your spouse about which items you consider to be your personal belongings.
6. Consult with an attorney
You and your spouse are certainly going to end up in court if you are unable to agree on the numerous issues that stem from divorce. It is essential that you protect your best interests and the interests of your children by seeking help from an experienced family law attorney.
