Planning For Divorce

The Marriage Zone – Planning For Divorce

by
Christopher C. Meyer
 June 2007

What should you do when you have exhausted all alternatives, such as counseling, and despite your best efforts, you are headed for divorce? What preparations are advisable when you are getting ready to leave the marriage zone and head out for the single life?

In terms of preparation, it is useful to think ahead and to imagine what your life will be like once you are divorced. For example, as a single person, you will need to have credit in your name. You might as well get started on getting credit solely in your name. You also want to get rid of joint credit with your spouse. This is especially true if you are a victim of DSS (Deadbeat Spouse Syndrome). So download your credit report and get to work: get rid of unnecessary credit cards; close as many joint accounts as you can, including bank accounts. The ideal divorce results in no joint debt or joint accounts after the divorce. You don’t want your ex-spouse to be able to mess up your credit after the divorce.

If you are unemployed or underemployed, the odds are you are going to have to contribute to your support - so get going! Take an inventory of your skills, think about what you enjoy doing, and explore the job market. The most effective method of job hunting is networking; let folks know you are looking for work. Judges are hardworking, self-made people. They appreciate folks who are trying to make it on their own.

Put off any big financial moves, like buying a house. Try to keep things simple. Remember that you will have to undo joint properties and debt in the divorce. Beware of incurring additional debt. If you need a car, don’t get one that includes a lot of debt. If you want to keep the car after the divorce, you are going to get the debt that is associated with it.

Keep in mind that there are certain actions you can take before the divorce is filed that are subject to an automatic temporary injunction after the case is filed. For example, after the divorce is filed, your ability to transfer or dispose of marital property is restricted, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, unless you get your spouse’s consent or a Court order. The same is true for taking your minor child out of the state.

If divorce is unavoidable, be prepared, and good luck with your new single life as you leave the marriage zone!



Chris Meyer is an attorney practicing family law in Monument. Chris has been practicing law since 1977. He is a former prosecutor and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Florida, California and Wisconsin. Chris can be contacted at 719-488-9395. Chris’s website (www.cmeyerlaw.com) has additional divorce and family law information.