Are You Prepared for Your Divorce? 4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Are You Prepared for Your Divorce? 4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Divorce is not a decision that should be taken lightly. While most people consider divorce for months or even years before moving forward, there are often many things they haven’t thought about. As you prepare for your divorce, the first thing you’ll do is to talk to a divorce attorney who knows what you’re going through.

At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we can be sure to prepare you for what is ahead of you from a legal standpoint. Read on to learn four things you should ask yourself as you consider your options. Then call us at 909-482-1422 to set up a consultation.

  1. What’s my real financial situation?
  2. If you and your spouse have been sharing finances for many years, then you may not have a great idea of what your financial situation is without them. If you and your spouse have a lot of joint debt, remember that half of that will become yours when you divorce. Since California is a community property state, half of all assets and debts will be yours.

    Remember too that you’ll have new expenses as a single person. You’ll have your own health insurance, you’ll be solely responsible for your mortgage or rent payment, and you won’t have anyone to split your utilities with. Of course, there are other financial things to consider, such as spousal support or child support. Call us today to get a better idea of what your finances are likely to look like after your divorce.

  3. Can I stay in the house?
  4. It’s common to have an emotional attachment to the homes we live in. This can be even stronger if the house you live in is the house you raised children in. If you want to keep the house, make sure you really consider if you can afford to stay in it. Basic maintenance, like landscaping, tree-trimming, waste removal, etc. can add up. Then there are repairs and a new roof – not to mention the property taxes. Homes can be expensive. Consider all the costs before deciding if you want to fight for it.

  5. Is my job stable?
  6. If you and your spouse are both working, then you need to not only think about your level of employment but how stable it is. Gone are the days when most people work for the same company their entire lives. Today people stay at their jobs for an average of three years. Think about your spouse’s job too – if you’re planning to rely on them for spousal and / or child support, make sure it’s realistic to do so.

  7. What are the real costs of being single
  8. Take some time to look at all your combined bills. Write down everything, including any credit card debt your spouse has. Then create your own list of your living expenses as a single person. This should include housing health insurance, food, debt, child-care expenses, etc. The better idea you have of your expenses, the better your decisions will be in the divorce.

If you need help with these or any other aspects of your divorce, reach out to Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell at 909-482-1422 right away.