Have you taken the time to do some planning for after the divorce? If you have made the decision to divorce and are taking steps to find a lawyer and begin your separation period, the post-divorce time may not be first in your mind. However, thinking about life after the divorce is final could affect your decisions during the divorce process. Thinking about long term goals is important when considering negotiations and decisions about your divorce. For example, you may have big plans for the next chapter in your life that could affect child custody and alimony now. Start planning for your future today with advice from New Direction Family Law.
Thinking About Your Future After the Divorce
If you are planning to divorce, you may be worried about your future. Ending a marriage can cause a lot of stress. Your stress may come from financial or personal concerns. Fortunately, some advance planning for your future could help. Think about how you want your life to look after the divorce. This could change your position on what you want from the divorce process.
Speak to your divorce lawyer about issues that will come up during the divorce like your current finances and your wishes for child custody. Divorce often involves negotiation about these issues, and the outcome could affect your future.
For example, information about your current finances will be used during decisions about alimony payments and child support. Moreover, your wishes for child custody could influence you to compromise on other issues. You might be willing to accept a lower child support payment if you have more time with the kids, for example. Availability of health insurance for you and the kids might be a consideration as well. If you are willing to negotiate to get what you want for your future, it could help you resolve your divorce amicably.
Work with your lawyer to find your priorities for settling the divorce. You also may take advantage of mediation or other alternative dispute resolution processes along with your spouse. ADR can help you identify priorities in a non-litigious environment.
Modifying a Divorce Order
When you get a divorce, keep in mind that a court’s divorce order is final – to a point. The property distribution section of the order is typically final and cannot be modified, but you may be able to obtain changes to the spousal support and alimony section. Make sure you think about your future when you discuss property distribution with your lawyer and spouse and properly plan for after the divorce is final.
If your financial situation changes substantially in the future, you might have good cause to ask for a change to the divorce order. Changing financial circumstances (such as losing your job and being unable to afford alimony) could influence the court to make a change. In addition, some child support orders allow for cost of living adjustments. If you’re the ex-spouse who can’t afford the court-mandated payments, ask for a modification as soon as possible to avoid violating the court order. Talk to your lawyer and spouse before approaching the court – you might be able to agree on a modification that suits both of you.
How a Divorce Could Affect You in the Future
Once you receive a final divorce order, your life may change significantly. Some practical issues to think about are estate planning and updating important documents. For estate planning, you may need a new will that disinherits your spouse. If your spouse is listed as your main beneficiary, a divorce might mean that your money would go to your next closest relative. This might not be your intention at all, so you should update the will upon divorce. You may need to make changes to other estate documents too, such as trusts, retirement accounts, or bank accounts.
Moreover, you should update other important documents. If you received a name change as a result of the divorce, you may need to change your driver’s license, Social Security information, insurance, and other accounts. You might need to change your child’s important documents and accounts too. If you didn’t get a name change and would like one, you can still seek one post-divorce.
What’s Next for You After the Divorce?
For many people, the time after the divorce is a new beginning. You may be able to pursue personal and professional goals that were not possible while you were married. Or you might feel a new freedom from a marriage that needed to end. If you are ready for divorce, reach out to the compassionate, helpful lawyers at New Direction Family Law. Our firm can guide you through the divorce process and into the next chapter of your life.
Beginning the Divorce Process? Let New Direction Family Law Help You
Is it time for a divorce? If you want to end your marriage, the team at New Direction Family Law is available today for legal advice and planning for after the divorce. Our effective and knowledgeable attorneys come with decades of combined legal experience to answer your questions and help you develop a plan. We will compassionately help you understand your legal rights and work hard toward your best outcome. Contact New Direction Family Law at (919) 646-6561 to schedule a consultation, or visit us at our website.