Just as marriage should not be entered into lightly, neither should divorce. Ultimately, you are the only person who can decide if your marriage has reached a point at which divorce is inevitable; however, you should not make that decision without careful consideration. If you are thinking about divorce, a Murfreesboro divorce attorney at Bennett | Michael | Hornsby offers some tips to help protect yourself before and after a divorce.

1. Seek Counseling: Counseling can provide you with a safe space to express your feelings and concerns about your marriage and the potential divorce. A therapist can help you gain insight into your emotions and provide guidance on how to navigate the range of emotions that typically accompany a divorce. If your spouse is open to the idea, couples counseling can offer an opportunity for both you and your spouse to communicate openly and work towards resolving issues and avoiding a divorce.
2. Educate Yourself: Divorce laws and procedures vary by jurisdiction, so it is essential to familiarize yourself with the laws in your area. Understanding your legal rights, obligations, and options will empower you to make informed decisions throughout the process. Schedule an appointment with an experienced divorce lawyer in your area to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what the divorce process will entail and what will likely happen if your divorce involves contested issues.
3. Consider Mediation: Mediation is a collaborative approach to divorce where a neutral third party helps facilitate communication and negotiation between you and your spouse. Unlike litigation, which can be adversarial and costly, mediation encourages cooperation and compromise. By working together to find mutually agreeable solutions, you may be able to reach a divorce settlement more efficiently and amicably, which can benefit both parties, especially if you have children.
4. Prioritize Children: Divorce can be particularly challenging for children, so it is crucial to prioritize their well-being throughout the process. Keep their best interests at heart when making decisions about custody, visitation schedules, and co-parenting arrangements. If a judge is forced to make decisions involving children, the judge is required by law to make those decisions using the “best interest of the child” standard.
5. Gather Financial Documents: Organizing your financial documents early on will streamline the divorce process and ensure that you have a clear understanding of your financial situation. Collect documents such as tax returns, bank statements, investment account statements, mortgage documents, and property deeds.
6. Protect Yourself Financially: Divorce can have significant financial implications for both parties. Typically, one party is in a noticeably better position while the other party is in a noticeably worse position post-divorce. Knowing that divorce will impact your finances, take steps to protect yourself; however, you should consult with a divorce attorney first to ensure that you are not doing anything that might be construed as hiding assets.
7. Consider Your Future Living Arrangements: Start thinking about where you will live after the divorce and plan accordingly. If you intend to stay in the family home, consider how you will manage the mortgage, maintenance, and other expenses on your own.
8. Take Care of Yourself: Divorce can take a toll on your emotional and mental well-being, so it is essential to prioritize self-care during and after a divorce. Lean on friends, family, or support groups and take time to do things that bring you joy.
9. Stay Organized: Even a relatively simple divorce can take months to complete and may involve considerable paperwork. Create a filing system to keep track of important documents related to your divorce and be sure to mark important deadlines on a digital or paper calendar.

Be Realistic: Managing expectations can be the most difficult part of the divorce process for some people. Be aware that the divorce process may take longer than you thought and there may be obstacles along the way. Be prepared to compromise on certain issues and prioritize what matters most to you because no one comes out of a divorce with everything they wanted when they started the process.

Contact a Murfreesboro Divorce Attorney

If you are contemplating a divorce in Tennessee, consult with an experienced Murfreesboro divorce attorney at Bennett | Michael | Hornsby as soon as possible. Contact the team today by calling 615-898-1560 to schedule your appointment.

Author
Recent Posts

Stan Bennett

Stan’s practice at Bennett & Michael focuses on Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Divorce, and Family related matters.He also practices in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, in Washington D.C.