You have finally decided to get out of the failed marriage and want to figure out the next steps. If you live in Birmingham, you will usually file the papers in Jefferson County, but you must complete the residency requirements before that. You should be living in Alabama for six months prior to filing, and it is possible to get a divorce in this state even if you were married somewhere else. In this post, we have some imperative suggestions and tips to get through the process.
-
Get a reputed lawyer: Popular firms like The Harris Firm have competent and experienced attorneys who understand the complicacies of family law and have been handling divorce cases for years. You need someone familiar with similar situations and can offer the required legal support and advice. Your attorney is instrumental, regardless of whether this is a contested or an uncontested divorce.
-
Collect evidence & documents: Financial records, such as your income details, tax payments, and documents of your marital assets, are necessary for the divorce. Plan your steps based on how much information you currently have. If you are still in the contemplation process, you should use the time to gather what is necessary during the negotiation.
-
Be calm and positive: Understandably, divorce can impact your emotions and mental state. However, this is not the time to give up or start a fight with your spouse. You need to retain your claim and make decisions based on facts and essentials. Remember, a divorce is not a way to get back to your spouse.
-
Talk to your kids: No matter how hard it is, you have to explain the separation to your kids sooner than later. Ideally, you should be doing this together with your spouse. Don’t say anything wrong about your spouse, and reinforce the fact that the kids will remain your priority.
-
Keep a low profile: If you like someone or are already dating, it is time to maintain a low profile. You don’t want to post anything private on social media, especially if your spouse is someone who may take things in the wrong way. You don’t want to paint a happy picture when things are falling apart. Lawyers usually recommend that clients not start dating unless the divorce is finalized.
-
Get help for other things: Besides your attorney, you may also need a team of professionals to tide you through the divorce. A financial consultant can help you plan your budget for life after the divorce and secure your financial interests. If you are dealing with emotions and depression, you may want to see a therapist. There is no harm in seeking help from family and friends, but nothing compares to professional assistance.
-
Remain open to compromise and communication: More often than not, spouses just want to go to court because they are too rigid with their thoughts. If you want the divorce sooner, consider options to resolve issues, such as mediation and collaboration. As long as both parties are willing to cooperate, the court does not have to make decisions for them.
-
Be honest with your lawyer: Ensuring your lawyer is aware of every detail concerning the separation is critical. You have to share details like why you are getting separated, whether you are dating someone, and if you have assets your spouse doesn’t know about. Your lawyer will decide on the ideal strategy based on what you provide them.
You can check online listings of local divorce lawyers in Birmingham to find reputed names, and to compare better, don’t forget to check reviews and online ratings.
