Dissolution divorce paperwork can be lengthy and arduous to fill out. If you are doing your own divorce paperwork, it is a good idea to check local requirements for filling out forms properly and for legal filings. The law will be state and possibly county specific.
Filling Out Divorce Forms
Forms for divorce are generally pretty straight forward, but they can be long and require attention to detail. If you are concerned about getting it right, you will be well served by having an attorney who has experience in your area at least review your documents prior to filing them.
The financial affairs part of divorce forms are a common area that people make mistakes. If all of the appropriate boxes are not properly checked, it could cause delays in your case. It is also important to get proper, current documentation on any jointly held accounts to avoid liability for future debts incurred by your spouse.
Before you file any documents, make copies! Many people fail to make copies of important documents only to have to track down important documents again at a later time. It is vital that you retain copies of everything to make the process more smooth and less stressful. There are always random cases where papers disappear and if you do not have copies, you will be required to do all of your work over again. Since you likely want to expedite the divorce process, take the time to make copies to save yourself possible headaches and time in the long run.
Take stock of the big issues your case will present. By outlining for yourself the issues you think will need to be decided before final dissolution can be reached, you can start to think about ways to come to an agreement with your spouse. Gaining this big picture perspective about your divorce can also make it more manageable.
Getting Advice from a Family Law Attorney
If you are facing divorce, you are likely feeling overwhelmed and have mixed feelings about how to deal with the legal process. An attorney can help ease your fears and concerns by taking the lead on the legal aspects of your case so you can deal with those feelings as they come up. There are new, more friendly ways to handle divorce cases of which you may be unaware. Talk to an attorney about whether you are a good candidate for a collaborative divorce.
