If you are not happy in your marriage, you may be thinking about ending it once the holidays are over. You are not alone in this. According to Business Insider, there is an increase in divorce filings in January every year. You may want to wait until the New Year so your family can enjoy one last holiday celebration together. But while you know you want to split up with your spouse, you may not know how to pull it off.
Serving your spouse with divorce papers can seem like a daunting task, especially when a breakup can involve complex financial, legal and personal matters. These are some steps you can take to get yourself ready for a New Year divorce.
1. Get your assets in order
Going through a divorce involves a lot of money and asset matters, such as property division and the determination of support payments. You can save time and get a fair settlement by taking a complete inventory of your property before you even officially begin the divorce.
2. Gather documents
You will need to provide various documentation throughout the duration of your divorce proceedings. Crucial documents to organize include the following:
- Mortgages
- Deeds
- Estate plans
- Vehicle titles
- Marriage certificate
- Tax returns
Assemble these papers now and secure them so you do not need to stress about finding them later.
3. Get help
Even if you know in your heart that ending your marriage is the right decision, it can still be painful. Leaving your spouse is never easy, so make sure you seek guidance and support from other people. Find a confidant in a trustworthy friend or family member. Talk to a lawyer. Reach out to a counselor. You need all the help you can get as you get ready to make one of the most consequential decisions of your life.
