The First Steps of Divorce Court – How to Start on the Right Foot Before Legal Proceedings Continue

It’s important to be able to know when your marriage is on the downhill well before any legal separation or divorce issues are brought forth. If you’re seeing a decline in your marriage and fear the worst, it’s important that you take steps before the legal paperwork starts piling up.

Think about what you need to protect yourself. Call your creditors and see what you can do to keep your ex-wife from charging up debt that she can later drop back in your hands. Close joint accounts and keep your money elsewhere.

Once you receive your divorce paperwork, it’s time to get some things in order. File a temporary restraining order against your ex-wife if she shows hostility, so that you can protect your rights and those of your children before she attempts to make false accusations against you. This will keep you one step ahead of her. Do your research, educate yourself on your fathers rights, and put down in writing what is important to you and what you’re willing to agree upon. Don’t think about what SHE will agree to, think about what you WANT. This can sometimes leave a little negotiation room for you to work on a more agreeable settlement together down the road.

While keeping a level head, write your first settlement proposal letter right away after the papers have been filed, and continually follow up with additional letters if you don’t receive a response from your ex. Lay out the groundwork for the issues that need to be discussed, such as child support, alimony, visitation rights, custodial rights, and debt and property division. By showing your ex what you want from the divorce will give her time to consider your suggestions and perhaps understand what you truly want out of the divorce.

Push negotiation and mediation. By showing the courts that you are willing to settle your issues and arguments outside of the court system, you will be on the judge’s good side if the case proceeds into the courtroom.

By taking these few simple steps before the courtroom drama ensues, you may have a great chance of getting your ex-wife to cooperate in regards to the issues that matter to you most–you money, your kids, and your assets.