What to Do Before You File for Divorce

 Posted on September 15, 2023 in DuPage County Divorce Attorneys

Filing for divorce is the first step in the legal process of ending a marriage. This usually means having an attorney draft an initial divorce complaint and submit it to the court. Although doing so starts the official legal process of divorce, it may not be the first step you must take when you make the decision to pursue divorce. In many cases, it is prudent to take a few steps prior to filing in order to ensure that you are as ready as possible. 

No two couples’ divorce journey will look exactly alike. You may need to take steps most sets of spouses would not need to worry about, or you may be able to skip a step many others would normally need to take. If your divorce is amicable, you may not need very extensive preparation. If your divorce is very contentious, more extensive preparation may be prudent. 

It is important for you to be well-prepared before the legal aspect of your divorce begins. Your attorney can help you determine which specific steps will help you be ready for the legal battle that may ensue. 

Steps You Can Take Before Filing for Divorce 

A few steps some you may want to take before initiating a divorce include: 

• Safety first - If you are concerned that your spouse may react violently when they find out you are leaving them, it is essential to develop a safety plan. If there has been violence or abuse in the past, it may be best to obtain a protection order first. Alternatively, you may wish to go stay in a safer location such as a friend’s home or a women’s shelter. 

• List the issues - Which issues will arise in your divorce can vary dramatically between spouses. Do you have a pet turtle that could live another one hundred years? Is dividing the furniture going to be difficult because the whole house matches? It may be a good idea to consider the unique issues that will need to be resolved so that you can begin considering possible resolutions. 

• Talk to your spouse - If it is safe to do so, it may be best to have a frank conversation with your spouse about your plans. You may find that they are on the same page about where the marriage is going. It may be easy to reach agreement on some issues, or you may find that you would like to give marriage counseling another try before going through the expense of filing. 

Contact a DuPage County Divorce Lawyer 

Andrew Cores Family Law Group is committed to making divorce as stress-free as possible. Our skilled Wheaton divorce attorneys will do all we can to simplify the process for you. Contact us at 630-871-1002 for a complimentary consultation.