Marriage is hard work and in many instances doesn't end up being the ideal situation for a couple. When going through a very rough patch, you might consider divorce as the best situation for your children and own emotional health. When you are trying to make the decision, there are many ways you can begin to protect yourself from a negative situation in terms of custody and the future division of your assets. Whether you and your partner have made a final decision about legal separation or divorce or are still trying to figure out what is going to be the arrangement in the end, taking the following steps and consulting with a divorce lawyer in Bethlehem, PA can save you stress and heartache. Backup Your Important Documents and Know Your Finances The first thing you will want to do is get a good understanding of your financial situation. This is important at the beginning because divorces cost money. You will want to be represented by a good attorney and be able to go into mediation or in front of a judge with a level head. Being unsure of your situation or stressed about your preparedness is not going to make the process any smoother. To get into a state of preparedness, request documents from your bank, including statements from the years when you were married. If you were married for a long period of time, this can be problematic. However, you will have tax documents as well that detail your assets and each party's contribution to the marriage. Gather this information and send yourself copies. You can create a new, secure email to compile this data. You don't want numbers to be manipulated if you end your marriage in a messy way. Take Care of Your Emotional Health Divorces can be extremely difficult times for the people involved. You likely have many feelings across the emotional spectrum, from anger to sorrow. Blowing up or having a breakdown doesn't have to be inevitable. Emotional reactions like these can damage your chances of finding a fair solution to your separation and divorce. To keep yourself healthy and focused, it's a good idea to find a professional you trust to confide in. It's general knowledge that talking to someone about feelings is more difficult in society for men. If you are male, you should know that talking to a counselor by yourself or with your spouse can be helpful. If you are a woman, don't shy away from getting this help for yourself and your partner also. Take Steps to Protect Yourself from Accusations When you have separated from your spouse, it can be easy to feel lonely and seek the company of others. If you are not legally separated, however, beware the company of the opposite gender. Depending on if you have a "cheater's clause" in a prenuptial agreement or your partner has set up other legal recourse for infidelity, chancing that your behavior could cost you isn't a great idea. Make sure that anything you do with friends or potential dates will not hurt you in the coming divorce proceedings. Explain What's Happening and Get Advice The situation is probably not going to be a secret from your closest confidants for long. However, you will want to talk to professionals like a financial planner, an accountant, and a Divorce Lawyer in Bethlehem PA, before anyone else. Make sure to create a support network of close friends, family, and professionals to get you through the tough time and give you the support you need to pull through strongly. These people will be your best assets in the future.
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