Unless divorce strikes you all of a sudden, it is necessary to get prepared for your marriage termination thoroughly. This means that you need to make necessary arrangements in advance so that you go through the divorce process without any physical and emotional hurdles.
Whether you opt for a cheap divorce in Florida through the online platforms or have a lot to discuss with your soon-to-be-ex in a local court, the more you get ready, the easier it will be for you to succeed.
1. Define whether You Qualify for Divorce
The first step for you is to determine whether you can get divorced in Florida at all. Check out the following requirements:
- to file for marriage termination in Florida, either you or your spouse has to be a resident of the state;
- you have to prove your residence with a respective doc, signed by at least two witnesses of your residence;
- the only reason you can file for divorce in Florida is irretrievably broken marriage;
- you will hardly get a fault divorce in the state.
Once you prove to yourself and the local authorities that Florida is the state for you to end your marriage, you can proceed to other preparations.
2. Choose Your Divorce Option
Another point you need to put on your divorce preparation checklist is choosing between options to terminate your marriage. Here are what you can do:
- Get divorced with an attorney – you will have to search for an experienced and budget-friendly specialist to help you out; you can also invite other experts to assist you with finances, custody, and other important decisions; they all will lead you through the divorce process with minimum hassle and maximum benefits.
- Finalize your marriage online – Florida divorce platforms offer you a range of services to deal with your uncontested divorce; your task will be to fill out the questionnaire and get your divorce pack to file it with no hassle; still, it only suits if you and your spouse can come to an agreement on major divorce issues.
- DIY divorce – in this case, you will have to put in maximum efforts but will waste a minimum; you need to request forms at the Florida family law office, fill them out and file them together with appropriate docs; you also need to settle all the divorce-related issues with your partner to live comfortably after your marriage termination.
You should weigh all the pros and cons and pick out the best suitable way to end your marriage without delay. This way, you can start the specific preparation soon and reach desirable outcomes without any troubles.
3. Collect Necessary Papers
Even before you get any directives and requirements on what papers to prepare, you can collect some docs and data to optimize the process later. Check out the following steps:
- gather personal data with all the documents proving it (ID card, birth certificates, marriage certificate, etc.);
- review all docs you have for your marital and personal assets (car papers, mortgage agreement, etc.);
- collect financial docs (extracts on your bank accounts, loans, shares, stocks, etc.);
- review your insurance and 401(k) papers;
- update your will.
The better you reorganize and review your documents that may be useful during the divorce process, the easier it will be for you to manage them later.
4. Improve Your Financial Situation
Another must-include in your Florida divorce checklist is a serious check-out and improvement for your financial situation. No matter how hard you try to manage your marriage termination with the lowest expenses, you may still go through economic instability after divorce. Look at the tips to minimize the waste:
- quit joint accounts and separate joint debts;
- improve your banking history;
- save early as much as possible;
- create a post-divorce budget and follow it.
By taking little steps to improve your financial situation early before the divorce, you will manage to survive any economic turbulence marriage termination in Florida may bring you.
5. Make Housing Arrangements
You can pass any divorce challenges if you prepare well. But it will be hardly possible to cope if you don’t have a roof above your head. So, consider the following housing rearrangements:
- decide what to do with your marital house (sell and share the profit, buy your spouse out, move out yourself, etc.);
- if you have to move out, find out where you will live;
- consider renting or buying a flat/house;
- check out whether you can stay with your relatives for some time;
- guarantee a safe stay for your kids.
If you have a secure place to stay and reorganize your life, you will manage the divorce and other tasks easier than when fidgeting between the houses.
6. Care About Your Kids
Beyond all the measures to get ready for divorce properly, don’t forget about the priority to prepare your kids for the end of your marriage. Review the tips to help you out:
- find out the age-appropriate way to prepare your children for the divorce news or consult the expert to help you out;
- spend more qualitative time with your kids;
- find time to talk and listen to them;
- don’t limit your kid’s access to your soon-to-be-ex;
- invest time and efforts to create a working custodial plan and follow it.
Remember that when it comes to family disorders, children are more vulnerable than adults, so they should be even more ready for divorce than you or your spouse are.
7. Don’t Forget About Yourself
Caring about yourself is essential for you to manage your divorce and post-divorce life successfully. So, include the following points to your divorce preparation:
- meet your basic needs – sleep soundly, eat healthily, socialize regularly;
- find time to switch off your thoughts from divorce;
- create a trustworthy support team;
- find a suitable way to recharge your inner powers;
- ask for professional help.
If you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally well, you will have the power to overcome any challenges and cope with divorce with the best benefits.
