What should you think about when preparing for a Louisville divorce? Based upon our decades of experience in Jefferson County and Louisville divorce cases, here are a few things to consider as you are thinking about or preparing for your divorce:
1. Though many Kentuckians attempt to begin their divorce without an attorney, the majority are unable to complete the process – especially if they have children or substantial assets such as retirement or a business or professional practice.
2. Be careful about how you handle the news of your divorce. It may be very important to ensure you do not tell other friends, family etc if there are children involved. The Court is interested in the best interests of the children, and it is usually best for the couple to sit down with the children and inform them before they hear about things from other sources, and to reassure the children they are not the cause of the divorce itself.
3. Another thing you should think about when preparing for a Louisville divorce is abstaining from social media. One of the first thing experienced divorce attorneys investigate is social media. It is amazing how many people harm their own interests in a divorce by sharing their thoughts in anger, exposing compromising information or airing private details about the divorce. The best policy is to avoid social media entirely during the course of your divorce.
4. Starting a new relationship or dating while going through a divorce may present a series of risks that are not in your interests. This can be used against you in child custody negotiations or hearings – especially if you have left the children with a babysitter or friends and family while getting away with someone new.
5. If you have children make sure that you keep their best interests at the center of all decisions. This is the standard the court will use and the best strategy is to be above reproach when it comes to your conduct, words and the manner with which you have protected your children.
6. Protect your credit and the financial well-being of your ex-spouse and provide a complete, transparent and full disclosure of all assets and debts according to the orders of the court. You have a legal “fiduciary” duty to your former spouse to handle money in a responsible manner.
How you will conduct yourself is another serious issue to think about when preparing for a Louisville divorce. Your actions will impact more than your own peace of mind and experience during the divorce. Your communications and actions will impact the decisions of the Court when matters of child custody, parenting time, maintenance and property division are being contested.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and contact us or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced divorce and family law attorneys.
