Preparing for a Divorce During COVID-19
After long and perhaps difficult weeks at home, you may have reached the conclusion that it would be best to end your marriage. Should you want to start a divorce action now, it is possible to do so. If you are hesitant to do so under the circumstances, there are several ways you can prepare for an eventual divorce, including:
• Find a Lawyer
It is important for there to be a good fit between lawyer and client. You want to feel comfortable with the lawyer, as you will be working very closely with him or her over the next several months. Take this time to research and learn more about the reputable lawyers in your area.
In addition, ethical rules prohibit divorce lawyers from independently meeting with you and your spouse for a consult. If you find a lawyer you believe would work well for your case, you will want to contact him or her before your spouse does.
Our firm is currently taking on new clients and is able to hold initial consults via in-person meetings (while practicing social distancing), a video chat (Zoom or FaceTime), or by phone. For more information about scheduling an initial consult, call 203-424-0260.
• Strategize with your Lawyer
Every case has a theme or theory. It could be the dutiful homemaker and the cheating spouse, the controlling narcissist around whom the world revolves, or the underappreciated spouse who always aims to please.
Many lawyers often overlook the theme or theory aspect of a divorce case. However, it is important to develop a working theme at the beginning of the case. A good theme will help you be more persuasive when it comes to resolving or trying your case.
You and your lawyer can begin strategizing and developing a persuasive theme for your case. Moreover, you can use this time to gather information and supporting documentation that would assist your lawyer in developing the theme. Such documentation can include credit card statements showing gifts purchased for a mistress or bank statements showing large withdrawals of cash by your spouse. Your lawyer will advise you as to what documents will be most helpful in persuasively establishing your case. Gathering helpful documents can be done now to help prepare for your eventual divorce.
• Gather Financial Documents
Certain financial documents are necessary in every divorce case. At a minimum, those documents include pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. In addition, after the divorce case has started, each side will likely request and exchange additional financial and non-financial documents. Many clients often find this aspect of the process to be tedious and time consuming. Therefore, it may make sense to begin gathering these documents now while you have more time on your hands. Your lawyer can advise you as to what documents you should start assembling.
In addition, every divorce case requires a document called a financial affidavit. A financial affidavit is a statement of your income, expenses, assets and liabilities. A good financial affidavit takes time to prepare. Reviewing your records to begin preparing a financial affidavit is a good way to start preparations for your divorce. Your lawyer can provide you with the paperwork necessary to begin working on your financial affidavit.
• Think About Your Goals, Possible Resolutions and Bottom Line
Divorce causes some people to feel overwhelmed by the inevitable change to their lives. As a result, some people are not yet able to picture their lives post-divorce. But in order to resolve your divorce case, your lawyer needs to know your goals, acceptable resolutions, and bottom line. For example, do you want to continue to stay in the marital home or sell it? What is the weekly parenting schedule you envision for your children? Would you prefer more of the liquid or non-liquid assets? If you have not already done so, begin thinking about how you envision a potential resolution of your case.
Ferro, Battey & Eucalitto, LLC is available to prospective clients during this time. Find more information here . To set up a consultation to discuss your individual case, please contact us .
