Preparing for Divorce Can Ease the Transition

March 14, 2011

Preparing for Divorce Can Ease the Transition

Divorce can be emotionally and financially taxing. But, considering key decision areas such as finances, health insurance and property division in advance can help reduce the stress of divorce.

Finances

The impact of changing from a two-income household to a single-income home can be significant. A divorce may have an even greater effect if one spouse was the breadwinner and the other was not employed during the marriage.

One divorce-preparation strategy entails making a complete list of the assets (bank accounts, property, etc.) and debts that you and your spouse hold separately and jointly. Using that list to create a budget of income and expenses on a monthly or other basis can help each spouse assess his or her needs and resources for financial support after divorce.

Health Insurance

If you have children and both you and your spouse have employer-provided health insurance available, gather coverage information and determine whose insurance plan is better for the children to be on. If your health insurance is provided by your spouse's employer, look into your options for and the expense of obtaining your own insurance.

Property Division

In addition, it is beneficial to consider your future living arrangements. If you and your spouse own a house together, what will happen to it? Will one spouse buy half of it from the other and continue living there or will it be sold and the proceeds divided? Other housing issues to consider include whether either spouse can afford to keep the home themselves and where the children, if any, will live.

Another helpful divorce-preparation strategy is documenting your possessions by making a video recording of the interior of your home. This creates an objective record of your property that can be used when dividing personal items.

By considering key financial, medical and property issues in preparation for divorce, people can ease the transition and feel comfortable that they have made well-informed decisions. If you are going through or considering divorce in Texas, contact a knowledgeable family law attorney in your area to discuss your options and preparation strategies.

Article provided by Wilson, Bellamy, Brown & Wilson, L.L.P.
Visit us at www.wbbw-law.com