By the time you decide to get a divorce, you probably have a pretty good understanding of what’s coming. Although the process of getting a divorce in California is straightforward, it still helps to be prepared for each step and how you’ll live while you finalize your settlement. This pre-divorce planning checklist is designed to help you get started on the right foot with your new lifestyle.
Choose a Divorce Mediator
In California, mediation is the best option you have for reaching an amicable divorce agreement. Since San Diego divorce mediators work for both you and your spouse, it’s best to work with your spouse to find the mediator you’ll choose to work with on your settlement. Start this process as soon as possible so you can set up your first appointment to begin working through the next parts of your divorce.
Get Your Information Together
Your first appointment with a mediator involves setting up a plan for the rest of the decision-making, and having the right information, such as financial records, on hand helps with this process. Your mediator will also need information such as your children’s social security numbers before he or she files certain documents with the court.
Think About How You’ll Live During the Divorce
Divorce usually means making major life changes. For example, you may need to move out of your house during the divorce, or you may have to obtain a job for the first time in years if you’re a stay-at-home parent. Spend some time thinking about what your life will be like during the divorce process so you can begin to make plans for how to address each change.
Write Down a List of Your Desired Outcomes
You also need to know what you want your life to look like after the divorce. As you take this step, try to be realistic about what you can actually manage. For instance, you may need to consider setting up a childcare arrangement, or you may need to get a different job if you prefer to keep your house. You should also consider the need to potentially compromise on certain decisions to achieve the goals that are most important to you.
Set Up a P.O. Box and Personal Email Account
During your marriage, you probably shared a mailing address, and you might have also shared an email account. Now that you’re separating, you need your own private space to receive important letters and messages. Setting up a P.O. box ensures you always receive your mail, and this is essential if you move out of your house during the divorce. As you set up your personal email account, consider changing passwords on any other accounts you don’t share with your spouse.
If you want an alternative to hiring lawyers and going through a drawn-out, acrimonious process, reach out to the team at Divorce Options San Diego, experienced professionals who provide premier San Diego divorce mediation services to couples seeking creative divorce solutions. We offer a one-stop shop approach for couples who are looking for a way to dissolve their marriages amicably and with mutual respect. We can handle every aspect of your divorce for you, so there won’t be a need to hire expensive attorneys. To learn more about our revolutionary approach to divorce, give us a call today at (858) 281-2628.
