Take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Remember to treat your spouse with respect and keep your relationship amicable, as it will help make the next steps easier. Give yourself time to process your feelings and get professional help if you need it. Then, start doing some research. There are plenty of resources out there, and many of them will tell you that the first step is finding a good lawyer.

Hire an Attorney

If your spouse has already filed for divorce or contacted an attorney, you need to have an attorney, too. Do not use an attorney you share with your spouse; do choose someone who focuses on family law. Good divorce attorneys usually have contacts in tax law, real estate law, and business law. If you know a lawyer, ask them for a referral – or ask for referrals from trusted friends, family members, or business associates. You can also do research online to find a well-rated attorney near you. Most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable with your attorney. You need to trust your lawyer to put your personal and financial interests first and safeguard your assets. Never forget to get details about how much the attorney’s fees will cost.

Take Care of Your Finances

Your name and your spouse’s name and finances are about to be separate. Monitor your credit reports to make sure your finances are healthy and consider closing any joint accounts you share with your spouse. Neither you nor your soon-to-be-ex should be spending money nor incurring debts during this time.

Now may also be a good time to start estimating how much money you are entitled to. If your spouse has been the breadwinner in your marriage, for example, you may need to ask for spousal support. Talking to your lawyer is a good way to start planning for your financial future, as is drafting budgets and determining what resources you may need going forward.

Avoid Social Media

Posting about your situation can be tempting, but you shouldn’t do it. Freeze your social media accounts during your divorce and turn to a trusted friend or family member instead. Opt for phone calls and in-person meetings whenever possible, as anything you post online or write down in text messages or emails could be misinterpreted in court.

As a general rule, never post or send something if you wouldn’t want it read out loud in front of a judge and jury.

Deactivate, Don’t Delete

While you shouldn’t post during your divorce, you also shouldn’t delete anything, either. Deleting social media accounts can be seen as tampering with evidence. If you’re worried about something you’ve posted online, talk to your attorney right away.

Consider Your Children

Divorce can be extremely difficult for children. If you have kids, you owe it to them to keep things civil with your spouse. Break the news together and emphasize that both parents still love the children and respect each other. Make sure your kids know that the divorce is not their fault.

Ideally, you will be able to work together on a parenting plan, but conflicts often arise over child custody and support. Your lawyer can help you handle these disagreements and fight for your children’s best interests.

Get Started Today

At the Law Office of Robert Castro, P.A., we understand how emotional and difficult this time of your life may be. We fight for your best interests so you can focus on healing and reimagining your future. Our team understands that the next phase of your life is at stake, and we take your case seriously.

We are here to help you achieve stability and confidence when the future seems uncertain. We provide cost-effective services and initial consultations and can make ourselves available whenever is convenient for you – even on nights and weekends.

Call us at (301) 870-1200 today or contact us online – your lawyer will be in touch within 24 hours.