Divorce For Women: How To Prepare

For many women, divorce can be a very scary process.  “What if I lose custody of the kids?”  “Where will I live?” “How will I pay the bills?” These are all common concerns for the average woman who is going through a divorce. 

The best way to remove the fear and uncertainty from the divorce process is to prepare.  Even if you are blind-sided and did not see the divorce coming, you’ve got to be proactive in protecting your interests. 

Gather Financial Documents

One of the biggest issues in divorce cases is property division and division of debts.  Therefore, it’s important to gather all financial documents including: 

• Bank statements;
• Tax returns;
• Pay stubs;
• Retirement and pension account statements;
• Real estate deeds;
• Auto titles;
• Credit card statements; and
• Insurance policies. 

If you believe your spouse is hiding assets, you may need to hire a private investigator or a forensic accountant to assist you in locating those assets. 

Gather Evidence

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the break-up of the marriage, it may be necessary to gather evidence to prove your husband’s misdeeds.  If your husband has been unfaithful, you need evidence of his infidelity.  Your suspicions will not be enough.  Therefore, you should make copies of cell phone bills and e-mails.  If you have photos of your spouse with the other woman, they can also be admitted into evidence in the divorce case.  Again, hiring a private investigator may be necessary. 

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you must be able to prove it.  So, gather police reports, medical reports, and photos which document your injuries. 

Can I Get Alimony?

Whether you can get alimony depends on a number of factors.  There are circumstances where a court may grant temporary alimony if the woman is unable to support herself during the divorce or immediately after the divorce is made final.  In rare instances, a court may award permanent alimony which usually continues until the woman remarries.  

What about Child Support?

If you are awarded primary physical custody of your children, your spouse will probably be ordered to pay child support.  Each state has its own set of child support guidelines which will determine how much child support you will receive. 

He’s Going to Fight Hard for Custody of the Children

There was a time when women were automatically awarded custody of the children.  However, that is no longer the case.  Most courts now use a “best interests of the child” standard to decide issues of custody and visitation.  Therefore, you should be prepared to prove that it is in your child’s best interests for you to be awarded primary physical custody. 

Getting Legal Help

Divorce is one of the most stressful life events a person can experience.  If you are going through a divorce, hiring a qualified divorce attorney can alleviate some of that stress.  A divorce attorney will have your best interests at heart and work diligently to help you get the best possible outcome under the circumstances.