What are some of the steps you should take to protect yourself during your divorce? There are so many issues a divorcing spouse must keep in mind as they consider a divorce. How will child custody and parenting time work out? Will there be Maintenance? What will become of the family home?
The first step is to take a look at your credit report. You want to make sure all credit accounts and liabilities are listed on your financial disclosures. You may be surprised to find an account you’ve never known about. Talk to our attorneys about any surprises you discover on your credit report.
Divorcing spouses should also remember to update estate planning documents and change beneficiaries on financial accounts and insurance policies.
Changing passwords and reconsidering all communications and social media will greatly increase your ability to protect yourself during your divorce. Married couples often know each other’s internet passwords or at least have a pretty good idea of what they are. As soon as a divorce is in motion, a spouse should remember to create a new email account and change all of their online passwords.
Also, you need to be extremely aware of and cautious about all communications with your former spouse, especially if you have children. If you are not calm, do not communicate. You must assume every voicemail you leave, every email or text you send and every social media post you create will be read by the Judge in your case. The Judge will use these to evaluate your credibility, as well as your ability to effectively co-parent and share child custody. The best policy is to forego all social media (even private personal messengers and immediate message deleting apps) throughout your divorce.
If the time comes to move it is important to update the post office about an address change to prevent an ex-spouse from snooping through your mail.
Working with our experienced divorce and family law attorneys is a good way for a divorcing spouse to ensure you protect yourself during your divorce while accomplishing your goals and objectives. Learn more and contact Dodd & Dodd or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment.
