South Valley Divorce Attorneys

South Valley Divorce Attorneys

The disappointment and sadness that can come with the end of a marriage can quickly turn into anger and contention when it is time to go to court and address the issues of the divorce.

Whether you are preparing for a straightforward uncontested divorce or a complicated contested case, you can rely on the experienced South Valley divorce lawyers at Sutherland Law Firm, LLC for exceptional advocacy at every stage of your case.

Need Answers about Your Rights & Options in Divorce? 

Call (575) 205-1328 or Email Our Firm

Please don’t hesitate to contact us whenever you need answers about divorce or another family legal matter. We are ready to help you successfully navigate the divorce process so you can get past the conflict and focus on your new beginning.

In the meantime, the following presents some important divorce planning tips, explaining what you can do to protect your interests as you prepare for divorce.

How to Prepare for Divorce: What to Do before Filing for Divorce in South Valley

No two divorce cases are exactly alike. Consequently, there may be different steps that divorcing parties should take as they prepare for a divorce case.

While a lawyer at Sutherland Law Firm, LLC can detail what you should do to prepare for divorce (based on your circumstances, needs and goals), here are some of the steps are that generally important to take before filing a divorce petition:

  1. Set up bank accounts in your name alone – Having a checking and savings account that is in your name only can provide you with access to funds whenever you may need them going forward. Without your own accounts, it’s entirely feasible for an ex to drain your joint accounts in an effort to limit your access to money. That can be a strategy when, for instance, an ex does not want you to have the means to pay for an attorney or other needs associated with your case.
  2. Build up your savings – If possible, put as much money as you can into a savings account that you solely control. In general, it’s recommended that people planning for a divorce try to save enough to cover at least six months’ worth of living expenses. This savings can provide an important financial cushion that may take some stress off of your shoulders as you proceed with your case.
  3. Set up at least one line of credit in your name alone – This is another essential way to assure that you have access to money when your divorce case gets underway. Without your own lines of credit, an ex can strategically max out any joint credit lines you share, putting more financial pressure on you before your case even gets started.
  4. Close joint lines of credit – This divorce planning tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip in that taking this step will be important to preventing an ex from maxing out your joint lines of credit. Ultimately, any joint debts will be divided in divorce, so closing your shared lines of credit is an effective way to limit the shared debt and keep your divorce costs in check.
  5. Set up a P.O. Box – This will give you a means for discretely receiving mail. This can be especially important when you are expecting any correspondence regarding your plans for divorce and when there may be concerns about informing a spouse (or about a spouse intercepting and destroying your mail).
  6. Gather important documents – Documents that will be important to your upcoming divorce can include financial records, like bank and retirement account statements, loan documents, credit card documents and ownership-related documents (like deeds or titles). Depending on your situation, other documents that may be important to compile can include (and are not at all limited to):
    • Life insurance policies
    • Business records or the business succession plan
    • Copies of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
    • Police reports (if domestic violence or abuse may be involved).
  7. Contact a lawyer – Whether or not you are able to take any of the divorce planning steps described above, contacting a divorce attorney can be the single most important step you take before filing for divorce. That’s because a divorce lawyer can help you protect your rights and interests at any and every phase of your case. Ultimately, that can make a big difference in how your case is resolved.

Partner with an Experienced Divorce Attorney: Contact a South Valley Divorce Lawyer at Sutherland Law Firm, LLC

For more insights about how to prepare for and proceed with divorce, contact a South Valley divorce lawyer at Sutherland Law Firm, LLC by calling (575) 205-1328 or emailing our firm.

Responsive, empathetic and insightful, our attorneys are ready to discuss your needs, explain your options and help you advocate your rights at every stage of your case.