It’s a sad fact of life that divorce is more common than ever. According to recent data, the divorce rate in California is 9.2%, which is higher than the national average of 2.5% per 1,000 people. A report from Divorce.com shows that with 36.2%, Los Angeles ranks thirds among counties with children living in single-parent families.

As you may have learned from your own experience or that of friends and family, ending a marriage isn’t easy. If you’re considering divorce in Los Angeles, there are many things to consider before taking this monumental step. The following dos and don’ts will help guide you through the process:

Dos for Angelenos Ending Their Marriage

Listed below are some dos for Angelenos planning to end their marriage.

Dos: Seek Legal Counsel

The first step to getting through your divorce is hiring an attorney. The lawyer will help you navigate through the complex process. You will also have to pay a filing fee for getting your divorce. According to a California Courts self-help guide, the filing fee for a divorce is between $435-$450.

When choosing a lawyer or firm, it’s essential that they have experience handling family law matters in general and divorce specifically since each state has its laws regarding separation agreements and child support payments. This is also why it is important to consult with a local Los Angeles lawyer.

Moreover, hiring top divorce lawyers in Los Angeles is advised if you want to have the decisions in your favor. They can help you get custody of your children, reasonable alimony, etc. This can be beneficial if you are not parting ways with your partner on good terms.

A professional and experienced attorney can also help you prove your point if the case is in litigation. According to The Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett, if divorce mediation or collaboration doesn’t work, the ultimate option left with you is to go with litigation. This will require an excellent lawyer to present your case before a judge.

However, if you are on good terms, you can also go with collaborative family lawyering (CFL). As the name gives out, collaborative family lawyering means couples working collaboratively along with lawyers to prevent adverse legal proceedings. It is one of the emerging trends which has come up in the last 25 years. There are 120 CFL groups in the US and Canada today.

Dos: Gather Financial Documents

Divorce involves a lot of financing, and it is best to prepare for it beforehand by gathering all the required documents.

  • Gather financial documents. To file for divorce, you need to gather all your financial records. This includes bank statements, credit card bills, and retirement account information. A copy of your marriage certificate and any legal paperwork regarding property ownership or children is also essential.
  • Keep copies of all documents in a safe place away from home so they can’t be destroyed by an angry spouse or parent who may be upset about the divorce proceedings getting underway.
  • Ensure that both spouses have access to all necessary information to participate equally during negotiations over child support payments or alimony payments if minor children are involved in the divorce process.

Dos: Prioritize Children’s Well-Being

If you’re a parent, you know how important it is to protect your children. They need to be reassured that they are loved and supported and should not have to worry about the adverse effects of the divorce on their lives. The same goes for financial burdens. If you and your spouse can agree on an equitable distribution of assets, then this step should not be difficult.

Don’ts for Angelenos Ending Their Marriage

While there are some dos, there are some things you must avoid. Given below are some of the don’t of getting a marriage.

Don’ts: Don’t Hide Assets

Don’t hide assets. If you’ve been hiding money, property, or credit cards from your spouse, now is the time to come clean. It’s better for everyone involved if all parties know their financial situation during divorce proceedings and can make decisions based on complete information.

Don’t hide bank accounts or investments. You might think this will keep them safe in case of an unexpected windfall. Still, it could cause more problems if they’re discovered later on by a judge who sees them as evidence that you were trying to defraud your ex-spouse out of some cash or property during settlement negotiations.

Don’t forget about life insurance policies. Your ex may be entitled by law. Even if they aren’t yet, they could demand it as part of any settlement agreement between spouses with children under 18 years old living at home together at the time of the divorce petition filing date.

Don’ts: Don’t Badmouth Your Spouse on Social Media

Social media is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, but it can also be used as evidence against you in court. For example, posting something negative about your ex or your children’s other parent could haunt you when it comes time for custody arrangements.

It’s best not to put anything out there that could be used against you. This is especially true if you are not on talking terms. When you get a divorce with mutual consent, a mediator can help you go through the process without going to trials.

Don’ts: Avoid Making Impulsive Decisions

While you may feel pressure to decide quickly, taking your time is essential. The longer you wait, your emotions will likely cool down and allow for rational thought. It’s also essential to make sure that any decisions made are well-informed. Ask friends or family members who have been through similar situations how they handled their divorces, if possible.

Speak with an attorney about what steps should be taken next. Also, research different types of divorce settlements so as not only to understand how much money is involved but also to know whether other factors could complicate matters further.

Conclusion

Divorce is difficult, but it can be made easier by following simple dos and don’ts. Learning and understanding the state laws and regulations for divorce filing is vital as an Angeleno. The most important thing to remember is that you want to protect your children’s well-being during this time. You also need to ensure that both parties are on board with any decisions being made and keep social media posts positive at all times.