Life is interesting, and sometimes the more we plan, the more we cannot control the outcome or when it will occur. We walk through this life with many unknowns, then the twists and turns come into play, sometimes out of nowhere and our life changes in ways we could have never imagined.

And when you are finding yourself starting down the path of divorce, you might feel like everything in your life is out of your control or coming out of nowhere.

But there are some things you can do today to help you prepare for a divorce and gain some feeling of control back. Here are a few suggestions we offer to our clients:

• Learn what financial streams are available to you
• Understand what debt you and your spouse carry
• Open a new checking account in your name only
• Determine what names are on titles and loans
• Sign up for a credit card in your name only
• Understand what tax liability you have had in the past and what you may have currently

Having a complete picture of your entire financial landscape can help you and your spouse make sound financial decisions and understand how best to divide your debts and assets.

When you utilize the collaborative divorce process, you will have access to a neutral financial expert. They will help you understand your current financial status and work with both of you to develop a plan to best divide your debt and income.

At Collaborative Divorce Professionals, Inc., our goal is to help you learn about the Collaborative options available to you in your divorce and paternity matters, and to familiarize yourself with the benefits of Collaborative law over litigation and how it can benefit you, your spouse, and your children.

Contact us today to learn more about collaborative divorce, collaborative family law, and the collaborative process.

Note: This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal/financial/tax/or mental health advice. You should work with your attorney, financial, mental health or tax professional to determine what will work best for your situation.