Divorce can be a stressful and upsetting process for everyone involved, and this can be aggravated even further by hold ups or financial stressors.
Therefore, it’s incredibly important to prepare yourself for the realism of the divorce process, as well as familiarising yourself with the steps and documents needed. Below are four tips that can help you get started.
Source all the Documents you need Early on
Divorce can often be a lengthy process, so it’s wise to prepare all the documents you may need early on. Getting a folder together can be very useful and avoid holdups.
One document that is incredibly important to dig out is your marriage certificate. You can’t legally be divorced without this, but many married couples simply cannot remember where theirs is!
It’s also worth noting that if your marriage certificate is in another language or you were married in another country, you will need to discuss this with an expert family law solicitor as there will be additional legal steps involved.
If you need to send any important documents in the post, make sure to send them signed for and make copies to keep at home in the rare case that they may get lost.
Start Financial Planning as soon as Possible
One of the biggest hurdles that can cause headaches during the divorce process is the financial planning – there will no doubt be a large number of assets to split as you have built a life together.
Think about what percentage you would like to take as a result of the divorce. It’s important to make sure that you know your legal rights and what you can ask for, so make sure you do research on this.
Splitting pensions can be another area of confusion. Many factors and individual circumstances need to be considered before coming to an agreement. Factors such as the length of the marriage, how much has already been paid into a pension, how long you have been paying into a pension scheme and more can all affect how much you are able to claim back, if at all – there are a number of options available that substitute for the money paid into a pension.
A divorce financial settlement solicitor will help you to gather information and documents regarding guarantees, death benefits, and other issues. You will then be advised on how to approach valuations for divorce purposes in both sharing and needs-based circumstances.
Understand Realistic Timescales, including the Period of Reflection
Another factor that many divorcees are shocked by is how long it can actually take for a divorce to be finalised – the average timescale is around six months, but can very often take longer. There is also a ‘period of reflection’ after a divorce application has been issued, which allows both parties the time to reconsider their decision to split and see if reconciliations can be made before following through with the divorce.
This period lasts a minimum of around five months. After this time period, if you are still certain you want a divorce, the court then grants a Conditional Order. During this time, you can prepare for conversations around property, finance or custody of any children that haven’t already been resolved during the application/responding process.
Look after your Mental Health
Divorce can be a very upsetting process, especially if you were mistreated and have to relive bad memories during the justification process, or if you didn’t want it to happen. Very few people really feel ‘ready’ for a divorce.
It can also be very easy to prioritise the emotions of your children, if you have any, but this doesn’t mean you should neglect your own wellbeing, both physical and mental. Be gentle with yourself and take the time you need to recover. Reach out to loved ones if you need to.
You don’t have to explain what is going on in your personal life if you don’t want to – just be prepared for people who may pry. Other than immediate family who may naturally find out, you don’t have to divulge information to anyone at all.
Summary
Overall, being prepared early can help you to avoid any shocks or hold ups during the process. Start your preparation early to avoid confusion and ensure a smooth process so that you can move on with your life.
