While the holidays don’t seem like the best time to begin thinking about divorce, January is the month that typically sees the highest volume of divorce filings. And, if you’re considering seeking a divorce in January or at any time next year, it’s never too early to start planning.
In anticipation of a divorce, a recent article in Forbes magazine offered an end-of-the-year checklist for women who are considering the possibility of filing a divorce in 2012.
- First, the article recommends that women begin gathering all their important financial documents, including bank statements (in paper or electronic form), mortgage documents, credit card bills, and the like.
- In addition, Forbes advises women to do this discretely, particularly if they are keeping their plans secret. Women might want to conceal these documents in a safe or give them to a friend for temporary safekeeping.
- Next, the author recommends obtaining a recent copy of your credit report. This will let you know the status of your own financial health, and will also reveal if your husband is using joint funds for illicit purposes.
- Forbes also tells women to begin researching their options for professional help with the impending divorce. The holidays provide a golden opportunity for women to check local listings for a divorce lawyer in their area.
- Because of the complexity of state divorce law, many women seek the aid of a divorce lawyer during the process. Remember, too, that both parties in a divorce are usually advised to obtain separate lawyers, because the representation of both spouses by one attorney usually raises a conflict of interest.
- Perhaps most importantly, women who are mulling the possibility of divorce should prepare themselves by starting to create their own financial independence. An important step towards reaching this goal is to begin to open new accounts in your name only.
- If you wish, you can remain discrete and open a personal account at a different bank from the one you and your husband currently use. In addition, women should consider opening a new credit card in their name, as well, in addition to the checking or savings account.
- Finally, the Forbes article also suggests that women should remain vigilant. The article, on a bit of a pessimistic note, says that women considering divorce should be wary of their husbands’ use of joint accounts, particularly if they are using joint funds for unsavory purposes.
So, if you are unhappily married and looking for a fresh start, don’t treat the holidays as wasted time. Over the Christmas season, you can begin taking steps to free yourself financially and prepare for the major changes typically brought on by divorce.
And remember that you must advocate for yourself in order to leave divorce in the best possible financial shape. And good advocacy requires plenty of careful planning, even before divorce proceedings even begin.
