A California Family Law Attorney Explains HowTo Protect Yourself Before Separating or Divorcing.
Making the decision to separate from your spouse is a difficult one to say the least.
In an effort to makeyou more prepared during this tough transition period, here are the five top ten steps to take before your separate.
Pre Divorce Step 1 - Close all Joint Bank Accounts Even as a legally separated couple, you are still financially responsible for all joint accounts.
In addition, your spouse still has access to these accounts as well.
Pre Divorce Step 2 - Cancel All Joint Credit Cards As long as both names are on the credit cards, you both will still have access to them.
When you have made the decision to separate, make sure that joint credit cards are the first ties to sever.
Community debt is debt that occurs while two people are joined in some sort of legal contract such as marriage.
IMPORTANT - Even if the family court judge orders your spouse to pay a debt, the debtor can still come after you if your spouse doesn't pay that debt.
Pre Divorce Step 3 - Redirect Direct Deposits Any monies that are directly deposited into joint accounts should be redirected immediately to ensure your money stays your money.
Pre Divorce Step 4 - Cancel All Joint Lines of Credit On Jointly-Held Property In addition to cutting off all lines of credit to mutual properties, try to pay off any or all joint loans.
This will cut back on the ties that will bind you to each other down the road.
Pre Divorce Step 5 - Get Legal Advice Before you separate from your spouse, you need to be equipped with the legal advice needed to get you through this trying time with as little damage to your life and family as possible.
Having legal advice can optimize your results in the case of a divorce, especially in child custody issues.
Making the decision to separate from your spouse is a difficult one to say the least.
In an effort to makeyou more prepared during this tough transition period, here are the five top ten steps to take before your separate.
Pre Divorce Step 1 - Close all Joint Bank Accounts Even as a legally separated couple, you are still financially responsible for all joint accounts.
In addition, your spouse still has access to these accounts as well.
Pre Divorce Step 2 - Cancel All Joint Credit Cards As long as both names are on the credit cards, you both will still have access to them.
When you have made the decision to separate, make sure that joint credit cards are the first ties to sever.
Community debt is debt that occurs while two people are joined in some sort of legal contract such as marriage.
IMPORTANT - Even if the family court judge orders your spouse to pay a debt, the debtor can still come after you if your spouse doesn't pay that debt.
Pre Divorce Step 3 - Redirect Direct Deposits Any monies that are directly deposited into joint accounts should be redirected immediately to ensure your money stays your money.
Pre Divorce Step 4 - Cancel All Joint Lines of Credit On Jointly-Held Property In addition to cutting off all lines of credit to mutual properties, try to pay off any or all joint loans.
This will cut back on the ties that will bind you to each other down the road.
Pre Divorce Step 5 - Get Legal Advice Before you separate from your spouse, you need to be equipped with the legal advice needed to get you through this trying time with as little damage to your life and family as possible.
Having legal advice can optimize your results in the case of a divorce, especially in child custody issues.