Considering a divorce is a big step for anyone, but it is one that is sometimes necessary if your marriage has deteriorated so much that it can’t be saved. People who are considering a divorce should make sure they understand exactly what a divorce can and can’t do. Once you have a general understanding, you should find out exactly how divorce might be impacted by the circumstances you are facing.
First, you should realize that a divorce will end the marriage, which means that you and your ex will have to divvy up all assets and debts. The way that is handled depends on your circumstances. If there is a prenuptial agreement in place, this will play a role in the property division process. If there isn’t a prenuptial, you and ex can try to work together to divide everything or you can opt to have the court decide how it will all be divided.
Second, the divorce will mean that you have to decide who will have the children when if you and your ex have children together. This is another matter that can be settled by the court or you and your ex can work on coming to an agreement through mediation. This will likely also include child support, so you should be prepared to think about this.
Third, you should realize that divorce isn’t going to automatically remedy your emotions or certain other aspects of your life. A divorce is a very trying event that can be very stressful. Understanding that you will need time to work through your emotions is crucial.
Fourth, you need to realize that there isn’t any guarantee that your standard of living is going to remain the same after the divorce. If you have questions about how divorce will impact your life, get those answered as soon as possible.
Source: FindLaw, “What Is Divorce Good For?,” accessed Nov. 24, 2016