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How to Prepare for Your Divorce

Divorcing a spouse is difficult, even under the most amicable circumstances. Planning for your divorce ahead of time can take some of the stress out of the process.

Here are some tips to help you get ready to initiate your divorce:

  • Understand your legal options:Many people believe that divorce can only be accomplished by going to public court hearings. That is an option, but mediation and arbitration can be less adversarial experiences. They encourage the parties to come to an agreement before filing in court, so the actual legal process is much simpler.
  • Organize your finances:Organizing your finances ahead of time will help you in two major ways. First, you’ll be better prepared for the financial disclosures. Second, you’ll have a good overall understanding of your budget, and which assets are likely to be considered marital property. You should also wrap up any major purchases before you file, since that can cause issues after you’re separated. Avoid the temptation to hide assets, however. Judges do not look favorably upon spouses who hide assets, and may levy fines or other penalties for doing so.
  • Make goals for the future:Next, start thinking about what your post-separation and divorce life will look like. What is your current budget, and what will your budget look like when you’re on your own? Where will you live? What’s your ideal custody and visitation scenario, and where are you willing to compromise? Which assets are crucial to you, and which would you be willing to sacrifice, if necessary?
  • Talk to an experienced attorney:Finally, research and consult with experienced divorce attorneys. While you can learn plenty about the divorce process online or from loved ones, there’s no substitute for legal counsel. A good lawyer will explain your options and the potential consequences of each choice, then advocate for your needs.

The seasoned divorce lawyers at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. in St. Paul, MN are standing by to help. Call today for a consultation.

By Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. | Published January 30, 2023 | Posted in Divorce, Family Law | Tagged divorce, planning for divorce, prepare for divorce

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Client testimonials

  • "Tori had a thorough understanding of my situation and made excellent recommendations to resolve my concerns. She was persistent on communication and handled everything in a very timely manner. I would definitely hire her again in the future if needed." - M.K.

  • "With Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A., it is like having a family physician. They are all knowledgeable, thorough, comforting, and the only call I need to make for all my legal needs for many years to come. No matter what the matter, I totally trust their advice and commitment to me and my family." - J.N.

  • "Mary from APH Law helped me thru a difficult divorce. She and the entire staff was there for me every step of the way helping me on what to do next. They listened to what I wanted and helped me achieve what matter the most to me in the divorce settlement." - Dana C.

  • "I chose APH after my initial consultation with Mary. I felt my best interest would be represented. The entire process went excellent, the attorneys and staff communicated effectively and efficiently with me throughout the process as they needed to. Being new to the legal process and verbiage, they walked me and talked me through the next steps and the jargon, I felt completely comfortable and represented. I hope I never have to use legal services again but if I do I will call Mary at APH Law and know that I will be taken care of." - Jeff M.

  • "Divorce is a time of emotion and stress. Mary Pfeifer , My lawyer was professional and compassionate. She was very informative through the process. Her insight helped me in my decisions. She worked hard to obtain a settlement which was fair to both parties. Though, I hope I won't need her help again. It is reassuring to know a good person that is willing to help." - Rod S.

  • "I first came to Ms. Jacquelyn Lutz of Appelhof, Pfeifer and Hart in October of 2016. It was definitely the worst time in my life and she compassionately spoke with me about my options. Ms. Lutz thoroughly explained the laws, statutes, process and what to expect going forward. What was supposed to be one case, turned into three intricate cases that took a huge toll on me and my family. Ms. Lutz represented me in court on all three cases with a vast knowledge of the laws and how to proceed accordingly. During all three cases she kept me informed, calm, gave me resources to utilize, and (most important) gave me a realistic view of what may come next. Ms. Lutz knew each case required a great deal of knowledge and creative thinking on how to legally proceed forward with each case. My family and friends are forever grateful for the amazing representation by Ms. Lutz. I highly recommend Ms. Lutz for anyone needing or considering superb representation for any kind of family law. " - M.H.

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