Divorce lawyers Austin, TX clients understand that no matter what your reasons for divorce, and even if you are the spouse that is pursuing ending the marriage, the process itself can feel daunting. It is important to remember that even the friendliest of divorces can quickly turn acrimonious over the most insignificant issue.
At The Law Offices of Ryan S. Dougay, our Austin divorce lawyers can assist our clients in dealing with all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, and more.
Once you make the decision to divorce, there are things you need to consider in order to know which direction to proceed in. Divorce lawyers Austin, TX families turn to can explain the pros and cons of each factor and how they will affect you.
Should I File for a Legal Separation First?
Years ago, most couples were required to file a legal separation before they could file for a divorce. But family laws have evolved over the decades and legal separations are no longer mandatory. However, there are some situations where a couple may file for a legal separation first.
One reason why people file for legal separation is that they are not living together but not sure if they want to take the final step of divorce. However, there are some legal issues that need to be addressed until they can decide what the future is going to bring. Financial issues are one of the main reasons why separated couples file for a legal separation. Issues such as the mortgage and other marital debts can be addressed in the separation agreement.
Child custody issues can also be addressed in a separation. Where the children will live, who will be the primary caregiver, and other items can be worked out legally until or if the couple decides to officially divorce.
Filing for Divorce
Once you file for divorce, there are certain options that may be available to you. Although traditional litigation is still the most popular, more and more couples are turning to mediation. In mediation, the couple works through issues such as parental rights, property and asset division, division of marital debts with the assistance of a qualified mediator.
Once the couple comes to an agreement on all of these issues, the agreement will be presented to a judge to approve. Divorce lawyers Austin, TX community members rely on advise to find out if they are good candidates for mediation.
Getting Through the Heartbreak of a Divorce
There’s no denying that a divorce can rip you apart emotionally, and divorce lawyers in Austin, TX see it all the time. You’re sad to see your marriage falling apart and wonder what your life will be like afterward. While you may have some tough days ahead of you, there are things you can do to ease the pain. Here are some tips for getting through the heartbreak of a divorce.
The end of a marriage is devastating, so feeling sad is perfectly normal. There may be times when you just feel like bursting out in tears. When that happens, you shouldn’t try to hold back your tears. Let them flow. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but crying is natural and nothing to be ashamed of.
When you’re feeling heartbroken and angry, you don’t want to just keep it all to yourself. Keeping your emotions bottled up inside won’t make anything better. Instead, try talking about your feelings with a trusted family member or friend. Tell him or her how the divorce has affected you and the emotions you’ve been feeling because of it. Afterward, you may feel better. Working with one of our trusted divorce lawyers in Austin, TX can also provide a shoulder to lean on.
If you believe your actions led to the divorce, you may feel pretty guilty. That’s natural. However, if you continue to blame yourself, you won’t be able to heal and move on from your ex. It’s important to recognize that what’s done is done and there’s nothing you can do about it now. Forgive yourself and try to get on with your life.
It’s normal to have ill feelings toward your ex after a divorce, especially if he or she displayed bad behavior during the marriage. However, there’s no point in continuing to fight with your ex. All you’re doing is keeping yourself unhappy and resentful. The next time you have an urge to call your ex and yell at him or her, take a deep breath and tell yourself that it’s not worth it.
To get over a divorce, you have to take good care of yourself. That means getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. It’s also a good idea to treat yourself to something nice once in a while, like a pedicure or professional massage.
When your ex is causing you grief, it may be tempting to vent about it to your kids. However, this isn’t a good idea. Doing so will just make your children feel uncomfortable and possibly make them have bad feelings toward the other parent.
If you follow these tips, you can finally move on from your divorce and live a happy life. However, if you are still having trouble getting over it, consider talking to a professional therapist. He or she can help you come to terms with your emotions and help you move on. Trusted divorce lawyers in Austin, TX can make recommendations of other professionals in the area to seek out.
Financial Moves to Make Before Getting a Divorce
When you are going through a divorce, it can be challenging to concentrate on anything else. Divorce lawyers in Austin, Texas can help you understand your next moves both in your divorce proceedings and financially. Getting divorced can be expensive and living as a single person can be financially tough at first. Here are several financial moves you should make if you plan on getting divorced soon.
Close Joint Accounts
If you shared bank or credit accounts with your spouse during your marriage, it’s time to close them. If your spouse decided to for whatever reason run up debt on these accounts, you would also be responsible. In addition, take your spouse’s name off as an authorized user from your personal accounts.
Create a Budget
When you get divorced, you will no longer be able to depend on a second income. That’s why it crucial to set up a realistic budget as soon as possible and stick to it. Make a list of all your necessary expenses, such as mortgage, utilities, food and child care, and try to cut out expenses that you don’t absolutely need. For example, if you normally go out to eat a few times a week, you may have to cut that out. Establishing a budget will also help you demonstrate your needs when negotiating a divorce settlement with divorce lawyers in Austin, Texas.
Get a Copy of Your Credit Report
It is a good idea to obtain a copy of your credit report during your divorce. Carefully review the report to ensure everything is accurate. If you see any accounts that you don’t recognize, you should notify your Austin, TX divorce lawyers immediately. You don’t want to be responsible for any debt that isn’t yours.
Update Your Will
During a divorce, it is also critical to make changes to your will. Your spouse is likely listed as the beneficiary and will inherit your assets if you die. If you don’t want your spouse to receive your retirement funds or other assets, you should remove his or her name from the will immediately with the help of divorce lawyers in Austin, Texas.
Apply for a Credit Card
It is not uncommon for a person’s credit score to go down after a divorce. To prevent as much damage as possible, sign up for a credit card of your own before your divorce is finalized. Make several purchases and pay them off right away to boost your credit score.
Don’t Make Any Big Financial Decisions
A divorce is both emotionally and financially draining. That is why you should hold off on making any major financial decisions. You might not be thinking clearly right now and might make a decision that will have long-term ramifications. Try to wait at least a year before you make any big decisions, such as buying a new home or moving out of state.
If you follow these tips, you should be more financially comfortable after your divorce. If you have additional questions, schedule a consultation with experienced divorce lawyers in Austin, Texas today.
Let the Divorce Lawyers Austin, TX Parents Depend On Assist You
If you are considering ending your marriage – or have already made the decision to end it – contact The Law Offices of Ryan S. Dougay to make sure that your best interest and your children’s best interest are protected through the entire process. Each of our divorce lawyers in Austin, TX has extensive legal experience and are very well versed in the everchanging family law statutes in the state of Texas.
Call one of our divorce lawyers Austin, TX provides today at (512) 469-0811 to set up a free consultation and discover how our legal team can get you the most positive result based on the circumstances of your situation.