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What’s in a divorce checklist?

By BreakUpAdviceOnline.com Staff

Getting a divorce is not something as simple as many people think. It is more than just packing your bags, signing your name and then disappearing from the face of the earth. It is actually a pretty complicated process, one that involves a lot of paperwork, legalities and compromises.

There is actually a million and one things that you have to take care of when you do decide to get a divorce. From the custody of the children to how the properties will be split up, you’ll definitely spend your days meeting up with your lawyer. This is especially true with less than amicable divorces where people have to reach compromises amidst shouting matches and counter-accusations.

Here are some of the things that you have to take care of when deciding to get a divorce. List them down and make a checklist of everything. This will help you in organizing the process and making it less stressful than it should be.

1. Get a lawyer.

This is perhaps the most important things that you have to do when you finally decide to make a go for it. You need a good lawyer who will represent you in court especially in the negotiations that might ensue should your partner object on some of the terms that you have drafted. Besides, even if the divorce is amicable, you still need a lawyer to draft you the divorce papers.

Be sure that you do get a legitimate divorce lawyer. There are some practicing lawyers who do not actually have license to practice. Make sure that your lawyer has one by checking his background. Otherwise, your divorce may not be considered legal.

2. Decide on the custody of children and visitation rights of each parent

This is another thing that you really have to decide on. It is in fact better if you and your partner can sit down and talked about custody of the kids even before you have the divorce papers drafted. You will also have to decide on the visitation rights as well as the schedules of the kids just in case a shared custody is agreed on. You will also have to agree on the number of months they’ll be spending with one parent.

This way, all is clear, lessening the trauma for the kids. It is sometimes sad to see children embroiled in a custody battle as this can lead to depression and anxiety. Avoid ending up in court. Settle the things that you have to settle through your lawyers. Going to court will only make matters worse especially to the children.

3. Child support

The children are the primary concern in a divorce proceeding. One of the major issues that you have to take care of is the child support, which refers to the amount of money that one parent must provide for the kid should the custody be given to the other. This ensures the welfare of the children by legally obligating one partner to support the kids. This will cover their day to day expenses as well as their education and medical needs.

Some lawyers also the costs of medicines and hospitalization fees in case the children get sick. Depending on the agreement between the two parties, child support may also include the therapy expenses of the children because of the divorce. Some lawyers will also include a section stating who between the two parties will claim the tax exemptions for the kids.

4. Alimony

Some couples also agree on alimony in addition to the child support. Alimony is the spousal support or settlement money given to the other partner. This usually happens when with divorces that involves a lot of money in the estate.

5. Division of properties, just who gets what!

Perhaps one of the hottest topics in divorce proceedings is the division of properties. This is usually where the trouble starts especially if both parties have great deal of money properties of their own! Division of properties will not only include land properties but everything that the couple owned including business establishments, bank deposits, investments, stocks, bonds, art collections, vehicles and even jewelry. Basically, everything that they own must be divided. This will also include the debts that they have to jointly pay, the pension and other financial details that they have to take care of.