Siomara Ramirez Pitre Divorce Law Blog on Lawyers.com

When Divorce is a Possibility: Planning Ahead

Divorce is rarely a complete and total surprise.  Most people who are facing divorce will later recall having discussed, feared, or thought about it.

If you are contemplating divorce, there are a few things that you can do to prepare yourself for the possibility.

Know your assets and debts.  Even if your spouse is routinely in charge of day-to-day business affairs and paying the bills, it is helpful for you to have at least some knowledge about what is going on. You should, at a minimum, know where important documents are located, which banks are used, and have some information about mortgage, health and life insurance, and retirement plans.  Even if you never end up in a divorce, an emergency could occur that would require you to take charge, so you should always have this information.

Special Property Concerns: Do you have property that you are concerned about retaining, or some property that you consider to be yours alone? An attorney can help you understand the laws of community and separate property, and help you prove that you are the spouse who is entitled to certain items of property.  If you have your own business or a family business it is wise to use an attorney who is also familiar with business law.

Have an idea of what you would do.  Would you need to return to work or change jobs to accommodate your new situation?   Due to changing technology, increasing job requirements and a difficult economy, your ideas (or resume) may need updating.  If you need to take courses, or make contacts you may want to start now, rather than waiting until you have other stressors to deal with.  

Gather your information and know your rights.  A surprising number of intelligent and educated people have mistaken ideas about what the Texas law says about community property, spousal support, court orders, and the like.   Remember that each state has different divorce laws, and there are variations in procedure from county to county. Each situation is different. Your neighbor’s experience may not be the same as yours. 

Because each situation is different, and divorce is a major life change, it is advisable to gain accurate knowledge and then plan ahead. A confidential consultation with an experienced family law attorney will help you to do just that.  You will be able to ask questions pertaining to your own situation and get an overview of what you can expect, including approximate time and cost involved.  In the event that the divorce does not happen, you will be better informed and organized, so it will still be time well spent!

Sio Ramirez Pitre is a divorce and family law attorney at Kalish Law Office, and has several years of experience in representing divorce, family law and business clients. She is fluent in Spanish.  She can be reached by email at sio@kalishlawtexas.com. The firm’s website is www.kalishlawtexas.com and the telephone number is 281-363-3700. The Kalish Law Office is located in The Woodlands, Texas, north of Houston.

The above article pertains to Texas law only and is intended for informational purposes. It should not be used as a substitute for legal advice.