1. Hire a Good Divorce Attorney
Interview at least three divorce attorneys before you decide on one. Go with an attorney who has at least 5-10 years’ experience practicing family and divorce law. I
2. Get an Idea of Where You Stand Financially
You need a clear picture of where you and your spouse stand financially. One of the primary goals of the divorce process is the make an equitable distribution of marital assets and debts.
Determine what you own:
Some marital assets are obvious. It is clear that the marital home, any financial accounts and vehicles are assets that should be split equitably. Other not so obvious assets may include artwork, pension plans, inheritances or belongings brought into the marriage.
Determine what you owe:
When determining what you owe it does not matter whose name any debts are in. Marital debt will be split based on who is more financially able to pay the debt, not by whose name the debt is in. The easiest way to determine marital debt is to get a copy of your credit report. Any debt you have will be listed on your report.
3. Gather Proof of Income
You need documentation showing your income and the income of your spouse. If you and your spouse are salaried employees, you will need a copy of the most recent pay stubs plus your most resent Income Tax Return.
4. Make a Post-Divorce Budget
This is the fun part, figuring out your post-divorce budget. The part where you get to determine what you will have to live on once you are divorced. You are aware of what it takes to run the household now. What you need to know is what your costs of living will be after the divorce. Some people's incomes drop drastically after divorce. Its best you be prepared by building a budget now instead of being hit over the head with bills you can’t pay.
5. Establish Credit in Your Own Name
If you don’t have any credit in your name alone, you should establish some now. You can do this by obtaining a credit card but remember you want a card that is in your name only.
Many women find that, after divorce they have a hard time purchasing a home or car because they have spent years sharing credit with their spouse. All that credit you’ve had over the years with your spouse is helpful to him but once you are a single woman, you will get very little ‘credit’ for keeping those payments up.
Everyone has been a victim of divorce, it may be you, a family member or a close friend. Divorce can be a difficult and harrowing process for everyone involved. There is a better way. The Collaborative Law Process. Steven Berzner is the proud president of the Collaborative Family Law Professionals of South Florida, whose members are committed to resolving dissolutions of marriage and other family law matters without the war of litigation.
The Law Office of steven L. Berzner, Esq. is located at 1040 Bayview Drive in Fort Lauderdale.
About
Steven Berzner is a lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He practices family law exclusively, and has done so for over 20 years. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified family law mediator. During that time, he has represented clients in high conflict divorces, domestic violence, child and spousal abuse, custody, child support and just about every other type of family law cases. What separates Steve from other attorneys in his field is his dedication to each and every client and their children, regardless of the fees they pay or type of case they bring to him. Steve also provides pro bono services to Women in Distress and No More Tears, organizations that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and their children.
Steve is a very active member of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. To name just a few of his accomplishments, he is a member of the highly prestigious Executive Council, the chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and a member of the Children's Issues Committee. Steve also volunteers as a mentor to recently admitted family law attorneys.
For additional information or to set up an interview please contact lweendo@dtpublicrelations.com
