Advice For Stay-At-Home Moms During A Divorce

Stay-at-home moms carry out various essential tasks such as rearing the children, cleaning up, making sure everyone has good nutrition and a safe and clean environment to grow up in, and often helping their spouses with their careers.

When the situation of an impending divorce occurs it can cause havoc in everyone’s daily routine and children can be affected adversely in most cases. One of the partners in a marriage will also need to leave the house and live elsewhere and it is usually the father. Here is some advice for stay-at-home moms to cope with the complexities of divorce.

Ending A Divorce Without The Mess

Many divorces can lead to months of litigation and court appearances and a considerable amount of money being spent on lawyers’ fees. Consider whether it is possible for you and your partner to split amicably so that the money can be spent on the education and upkeep of the children. There are many ‘DIY’ avenues of having a divorce outside of the court that cost quite a bit less than other routes in which one party may not be able to hire a lawyer as good or as experienced as the other party.

Consider if spouse-funded litigation is an option in which your soon-to-be ex-spouse will cover the expenses of hiring a lawyer for you. A collaborative divorce in which both parties are keen to reach a settlement that is in the mutual interest is another way to go and this type of divorce proceeding amicably splits property and assets and decides on custody and child support.

Start With A List

If you are a housewife or a partner who has stayed home for the duration of your marriage, consider starting by making a list of all the major assets and valuables that are currently in both your and your partner’s possession. This includes the house, other properties, cars, jewelry, specialty items that are worth money, and liquid cash in personal or joint accounts.

This list of assets can then be used to determine how a financial split should occur and what it should include for each partner. Spouses hiding assets is a common occurrence and careful listing should be an attempt to prevent this from happening. If your spouse has a history of criminal behavior consult a Tampa criminal defense lawyer at your earliest opportunity.

Financial Obligations

In most marriages, there are joint loans and other financial liabilities that exist which both partners are equally responsible for. In the event of a divorce, those liabilities are either taken completely by the richer, earning partner or are divided. Make sure your paperwork is in order about these financial obligations and your estimates should include child-rearing costs, utility bills, mortgage payments, and so forth.

Plan Ahead

As a single mom, you need to start planning for your future and that of your kids. Consider expenses and whether you can start a job with your existing qualifications or whether pursuing the latter is an option for you in the near future. Setting a budget and checking your credit score are also vital tasks in the aftermath of a divorce.

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