Without careful planning and proper guidance, a divorce can be not only emotionally draining, but financially devastating. Here are the top 7 financial tips in divorce:
Safekeeping Records. Compile records from the past three years including bank accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, credit card accounts, life insurance policies, health insurance policies, vehicles, loans, titles, trusts, tax returns and, frankly, records pertaining to any and all assets and liabilities.
Determine the Asset Values. Begin a detailed list of all of your assets and determine the fair market value of those assets, including the value of your home, vehicle, cash value of insurance policies, bank account values, investment or retirement account values and the like.
Determine your Debt. Begin a detailed list of all of your debt, including student loans, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and vehicle loans so that you know where you stand in regards to your liabilities, both individually and as a married couple.
Call your Financial Advisor and Accountant. Discuss your current financial state along with what the future plan would be in the event of a divorce. Being advised and prepared by a financial professional is a key in planning for the present and future.
Document personal property. Begin a list of all personal property that is jointly owned, such as wedding gifts and items purchased together throughout the marriage. Also begin a list of all personal property that you brought into the marriage or gifts that you received during the course of the marriage.
Document Routine Expenditures. Begin keeping detailed records of your day-to-day expenses such as household (i.e. groceries, utilities and the like), out of pocket medical, grooming, clubs/donations, children-related, dining out and more. This will give you a realistic picture of what your monthly budget is and needs to be going forward.
Legal Fees and Costs. Review the monthly invoice provided by your legal counsel to keep track of the work that is being done on your behalf. This will allow you to better prepare yourself and your case for each step of the divorce process.
You can find Jennifer R. Ward, Founder of WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC at www.wardfamilylawchicago.com or you can follow her on Facebook @WardFamilyLaw, Instagram @divorcerer, Google Plus @Wardfamilylawchicago and Twitter @WardFamLawIL
I'm so thankful that I found Jennifer and her awesome team to help me with my divorce! It was incredibly stressful and scary to go through this process, especially with two little ones, but she has given me the support and confidence that I need. She is extremely intelligent, level-headed, supportive, and reasonable! I was anxious in the beginning thinking that I would have to go to court, but she gave me the peace of mind that I needed to get thru it and not be anxious. I would highly recommend her to anyone going through this difficult process. I…
Berta M.
She is a nice lawyer. She helped me to fix my passport issue among other things, including family problems.
Ron F.
Initially, I'd thought to navigate through troubled waters on my own in the divorce process due to the cost. I hadn't before needed representation in any court case, and, not being familiar with the costs involved in having a lawyer, I was worried about moving forward with one. My fear was the expense. I felt comfortable with Jennifer Ward from the moment I first spoke with her - contacting her to set up a consultation costs you nothing. In the end, the retainer and fees spent to end my case on a high note were worth every penny. They sent…
Sandeep S.
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