What to do if you are facing divorce

This will perhaps be one of the most difficult chapters in your life. We understand that. Often how you manage yourself at the outset of the process has lasting effects on you and your family. Below are a few bit of free advice - legal and non-legal - that we offer.

Safety:

Get a plan. If there is any chance of domestic violence then contact your local domestic violence shelter. They offer counseling, shelter services, and help with safety plans. Heartly House in the provider in Frederick County, Maryland. You may contact them at 301.662.8800. We can provide you with a list of resources upon request.

Sanity:

Take care of yourself. We have put together a resource list for helping to make sure you keep yourself well. Make sure you have a copy in hand when you leave our office. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will less able to manage this often difficult process. And if you have children, you will be less able to care for them well.

Get good information:

To use a cliche - information is power. Make sure it is good information. Don’t rely on friends for legal advice. Talk to only a lawyer about legal advice. We often must clarify and correct the advice clients receive from well intentioned friends or family. Come in for a consultation. The feedback we receive is that it’s worth every dime (and often helps provide a good night’s sleep). And always feel free to ask us if you are unsure about something or have questions. Again with the cliches but, honestly, no question is a bad question.

Financial plan:

Budget, Budget, Budget: Mixed with the emotion of divorce is fear and uncertainty. Most of the uncertainty relates to your finances. How will you manage a household and its expenses post divorce? This is a question we can help you answer; but, we need you to work on a budget. We want everything included from postage stamps to oil changes. If you’ve never done a budget - you are not alone. Many clients come to us without much information about their expenses. Perhaps their spouse handled them or they were just never that organized. This is the time when putting together a budget is critical. Don’t be overwhelmed by the process; try to see it as the start of a new part of your life. And do a little bit each day. Rome wasn’t built in a day; and getting solid financial picture takes far more time than a snapshot.