Divorce Advice

Modern technologies are making it easier for divorcing couples to navigate the legal process and to streamline their proceedings. This can add up to reduced costs and improved communication between former partners. Learning about the available applications and how they can help you to manage the process of divorcing will allow both you and your partner to communicate clearly and to navigate the dissolution of your marriage in the most practical and positive way possible. These four tools can help you deal with the process from start to finish. dtour.life Designed to help divorcing couples manage the legal process more effectively, dtour.life is an ideal starting point for obtaining information on divorce in California. This app allows clear and accurate communication between divorcing couples and their attorneys. You and your former partner can fill in forms online, provide information about income, expenses, assets and debts and access databases of information that can make the legal process much simpler and less stressful for both of you. Your attorneys will also appreciate the convenience and ease of use of this advanced computer application, which allows practical case management for attorneys and law firms in managing the dissolution of your marriage. FamilyDocket Another application designed specifically for use during divorce proceedings, FamilyDocket allows for the capture of text messages between divorcing couples and the storage of a wide range of information, including the following: Reimbursable expense requests and reports Tasks assigned to and information returned by divorcing couples Supporting documents for cases Summary emails that offer prioritized access to urgent items and tasks that require your review A searchable database of information that can put all documents relevant to your case at your attorney’s fingertips. This advanced technological tool is ideal for managing cases that are being handled by collaborative attorneys as well as traditional court proceedings. By taking advantage of this practical application, you and your former partner can often reduce the amount of time needed to complete the dissolution of your marriage in the state of California. SupportPay For families dealing with child support and expense sharing arrangements, SupportPay offers real advantages. SupportPay offers one-stop solutions for making, recording and receiving child support, alimony, spousal support, and expenses. This is a practical way for divorcing or divorced couples to manage the monetary aspects of their breakup without requiring personal contact or the stress that can sometimes accompany in-person meetings. Our Family Wizard Our Family Wizard is a great way to begin the process of co-parenting on the right note. By allowing you to communicate with your former spouse in the most positive way, this application allows a more collaborative co-parenting experience for both of you. The information stored in Our Family Wizard can also provide added documentation for your attorneys to help streamline the process of divorcing in California.  If looking for another helpful app to assist with communicating with a co-parent, read our previous post on using the coParenter App, which integrates artificial intelligence and human mediation to promote the best outcomes for children and their parents after a divorce.

The impact of social media on everyday life has been considerable. If you use these sites to communicate with family members or to stay in touch with friends, you should be aware that sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

If you are considering divorce, now may be the right time to consult with a financial advisor to determine the effects divorce proceedings will have on your budget and financial situation. Seeking financial advice before divorce may give you a much better idea of what you can expect during and after the separation of your assets and liabilities during the divorce process. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when planning for a divorce from a financial standpoint. Work With a Professional While close friends and family members may have suggestions for you regarding managing your finances during and after a divorce, they may not have all the facts and may offer incorrect advice for your situation. Working with a financial planner with proven experience is the best strategy for managing your finances throughout the divorce process. By working with a professional, you can achieve the best results for yourself, your children and your future. Begin the Administrative Process A lot of the work involved in separating your finances from your former spouse is administrative. Doing things such as closing joint credit accounts and transferring your direct deposits to a new bank account in your name only can protect you from unexpected actions by your partner during the lead up to your divorce proceedings. You may also need to change your medical directives and remove the power of attorney from your former spouse as well as changing the beneficiaries of your life insurance policy, pension, and other retirement accounts. If you do not have credit in your name, now may be the best time to begin establishing your own credit history to improve your financial situation in advance of your divorce proceedings. Take Stock of Your Situation Especially if you have children or teenagers to consider, looking at the bills you pay and the expenses you have every month can help you create a budget for your future. By seeking financial advice before divorce proceedings begin, you may be able to determine the amount you will have available for rent, if necessary, and to manage the unexpected costs that often arise for parents. Taking a thorough inventory of your financial situation and the outstanding debts and expenses you must meet every month can allow you to make good decisions and proceed with greater awareness of your financial situation during your divorce proceedings. Consult With an Attorney Working with a mediation attorney can be a good way to determine your legal rights and responsibilities before beginning divorce proceedings. These professionals can provide you with guidance on the laws applicable to your case and the likely financial repercussions of a divorce on you, your children and your former spouse. By taking the time to consult with a qualified and experienced mediation attorney, you will be laying the right groundwork for a better future. Planning can be a critical step in protecting yourself financially in a divorce. Working with professionals in the legal and financial field is often the best course of action when planning for a divorce.

Your family law attorney can provide you with support during a divorce, custody arrangements and many other issues that may arise.

Even before you begin divorce proceedings, it is a good idea to start planning for the divorce process. Preparing yourself financially and emotionally can help you deal with the expenses and stresses that can accompany divorce proceedings. Here are a few of the most effective strategies to help you prepare for divorce in the state of California. Open Your Own Bank Account Most married couples maintain joint accounts to make bill paying and other expenditures easier. If you are considering divorce, you should open a separate bank account, which will help streamline the process for separating your finances from those of your former spouse. This can save time and worry later on in your divorce proceedings and can help you manage your money more effectively in the period preceding your divorce. Close Joint Bank Accounts Closing the bank accounts you hold jointly can also help you and your former partner prepare for divorce. By beginning the process of separating your finances, you can ensure the smoothest transition from marriage to divorce and your new life. The process of closing your joint bank accounts will require cooperation between you and your former spouse. Save Your Money Divorce can sometimes be an expensive process. Saving up money during the time leading up to filing for divorce can help you manage the costs of hiring an attorney and the court costs associated with your proceedings. By avoiding any major expenditures during this period, you can also ensure that you have sufficient cash on hand to manage moving expenses and other essentials during and after your divorce. Discuss Matters of Financial Importance If you and your former spouse have children or if you have other significant responsibilities that must be handled, taking the time to discuss these matters can sometimes provide you with peace of mind and a more streamlined approach to these matters. Some of the most important topics for discussion may include the following: Custody and child support for minor children in your care The division of assets and debts during the divorce proceedings Retention or sale of the family home Living arrangements and spousal support If you and your former partner can come to an agreement on these issues before beginning divorce proceedings, you can often reduce the time needed to complete your divorce. This can sometimes reduce the cost of legal services and can help you and your former spouse to manage these decisions more effectively. Document Your Finances Making copies of your financial documents, including bank and mortgage statements and pay stubs, can ensure that you can provide your attorney with the most complete and comprehensive information on your financial situation. This can often help you make the most practical and beneficial arrangements during the divorce process. By taking proactive steps to manage your finances during the period leading up to your divorce, you can weather the process more successfully. A little bit of planning in advance can pay off by improving financial stability during and after your divorce.

Finding a way to navigate divorce proceedings effectively can provide benefits for you, your partner and your children. A few helpful hints can make a big difference in your comfort level and your experience during the divorce process. Here are some of the most effective strategies for finding common ground and making the divorce easier on everyone involved. Deal with Your Emotions Divorce can be painful and emotionally exhausting. Taking steps to deal with your feelings and putting them aside during your divorce proceedings can help you make the most practical and rational choices for you and your family. Controlling your emotions will also help set a good example for your children and can help you maintain a cordial relationship with your former spouse until after your divorce is complete. Be Willing to Negotiate Looking for points on which you and your former spouse agree upon helps build a solid foundation for negotiations and compromises that can help expedite your divorce proceedings. Negotiating can help streamline the process for determining the division of assets and debts, child custody, child support arrangements and other decisions of importance during your divorce. This can make the process less painful for you and your former partner because each of you will have a say in the decision-making process. Take Time Out for You It can be easy to overlook your health and well-being during a difficult divorce. Neglecting your health can lead to issues which may result in a reduced ability to deal with the stresses and processes involved when going through a divorce. By setting aside time to relax and decompress, you can better prepare yourself for the divorce process. Be Honest With Your Kids While you may not be comfortable sharing all of the details of your divorce with your children, being as honest as possible can help your children feel more secure about the overall process. By providing honest information on a need-to-know basis, you can promote a healthier attitude in front of your children. Consider Divorce Mediation Divorce mediation can provide you with added help in keeping your divorce proceedings as cordial and productive as possible. Lawyers who offer mediation services can provide you with cost-effective and practical solutions for child support, child custody as well as the division of assets and debts. By integrating these four strategies into your overall approach when seeking a divorce, you can take some of the stress out of the process while promoting a healthy environment for everyone. This can help all of you begin your new lives in the best possible way!