Written by our divorce lawyers in Manassas
You will have many things to consider before you file for divorce. The end of your marriage will signal the beginning of a new life, and being prepared for the upcoming challenges may help make the process less stressful.
Your initial checklist when you start planning your divorce may include the following:
- The right time to bring up the topic to your spouse
- A safe exit strategy, especially if abuse is a factor
- Deciding where you and your children are going to live
- Your short- and long-term hopes about your life after the divorce
Our divorce lawyers in Manassas have more than 30 years of experience guiding clients when their marriage has ended. By representing residents in Manassas, Prince William, Manassas Park, Gainesville, Haymarket, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dumfries, Bristow, Warrenton, Centreville, Fairfax, Stafford, Chantilly, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Herndon, Reston, Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, and throughout Northern Virginia, we have built a reputation as a no-nonsense law firm dedicated to achieving outstanding results.
Financial Considerations
As soon as possible, preferably before you split up, you will need to make a list of your assets and debts. These would include any assets you hold separately from your spouse, as well as family businesses and additional separate or shared property.
It may also help to look ahead in terms of supporting yourself. It is not enough to assume that you will receive adequate spousal support and child support to make ends meet. If you earn less money than your spouse or did not work during the marriage, you may want to consider updating your job skills to become more self-sufficient.
When Children Are Involved
If you have minor children, child custody will be another important concern. You will want to consider whether you are willing to share joint custody with your spouse or if you will pursue sole custody. Divorce is especially difficult for children, so you will need to bring up the subject carefully with them and be reassuring and understanding.
Ideally, both parents should be able to parent their children after divorce. If there has been abuse during the marriage, however, you may want to consider obtaining a protective order. Rest assured that our divorce lawyers are up to the challenge of confronting these sensitive family matters.
Call our law office today at 703-361-0776 or fill out our online form, and we’ll schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
Divorce lawyers in Manassas serving Fairfax, Prince William, Arlington, Manassas Park, Gainesville, Haymarket, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dumfries, Bristow, Warrenton, Centreville, Stafford, Chantilly, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Herndon, Reston, Alexandria, and Annandale.
