Have you ever been asked “where were you on 9/11”? We are all familiar with the famous “where were you” question after major events, so I anticipate years from now we will begin asking each other and our children “where were you when they announced schools were closed for Coronavirus”, or “what did you do trapped in your house for weeks on end?”  For some this may be the first time in a while to reconnect with their children and spouse, but for many others it may be the final straw for a marriage that was already suffering.

As news that China was finally ending its months long fight with the virus and individuals were able to start returning to work, news came out about increased divorces. As the United States continues to brace for the inevitable peak of the virus, two growing statistics have already been talked and even joked about; the rise of babies that will be born in 9 months and the expected increase of divorce filings.

If you happen to fall in the latter group, believing you will likely file for divorce when this is all said and done, then I would encourage you to take this time and use it wisely.  Here are a few things you can start doing now:

1. Gather information

With some extra time at home, it is a great opportunity to begin collecting your financial information. Even if you have been the one to handle the finances, take this time to organize statements, find out where accounts are held, detail out your budget, and pull your credit report to find out what debt is listed under your name, etc. For guidance on how to prepare financially, contact a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® with Next Step Divorce Solutions for assistance.

2. Learn about your divorce options

In Texas you have multiple ways you can go about getting a divorce. The most common is through the litigated route utilizing separate attorneys, but this is not the only way. Consult a local family attorney or Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® to learn more about your options and what might be the most appropriate solution for you and your spouse. 

3. Begin building your team

In my experience one of the biggest mistakes that individuals make throughout their divorce is not building the proper team to support them.  That team should include a family law attorney, whether retained or consulting, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, and a therapist or counselor.  With a team built of all three components you will get the guidance that affects all facets of the divorce process – legal, financial and emotional.

Nobody prepares or expects a world pandemic that will shut down ‘life as we know it’, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use this time to your advantage. For each person that could mean so many different things, for you that may mean preparing for divorce. For additional guidance on how you can begin preparing yourself financially and understanding how to avoid some mistakes along the way please contact a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®.

To learn more about the benefits of hiring a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, contact us at Next Step Divorce Solutions. We look forward to providing education and guidance to help you turn your confusion and fear into clarity and confidence.