Divorce Tips for Women By JWGLAWYER on July 20, 2021

divorce paperworkFew people describe divorce as an easy process, but the dissolution of a marriage is sometimes necessary to ensure a person’s future happiness. When individuals are preparing for a divorce, there are some things they can do to make the process go easier, and to gain a better understanding of what they should be asking for in the divorce settlement. 

Divorce lawyer Jeffrey W. Goldblatt, Esq. is happy to assist individuals in East Brunswick, NJ, Freehold, NJ, and Wall, NJ, as they go through the divorce process. His legal expertise, along with these essential divorce tips for women, promote a smooth divorce process, and set clients up for financial and emotional stability once their divorce is settled. 

Hire a Divorce Lawyer

One of the first things a woman should do when she is going through a divorce is hire a knowledgeable divorce lawyer. Even when spouses get along and can agree on major issues regarding the division of assets and child custody, each should have their own attorney on their side. An experienced divorce lawyer understands local divorce laws, is ready to look out for the client’s best interest, and can keep stress and tension at a minimum so that divorce proceedings go more smoothly.

Review Your Prenuptial Agreement

In the past, prenuptial agreements were rare, but today many spouses choose to sign a prenuptial agreement prior to their marriage. If a prenuptial agreement exists, it is legally binding, so it is important to review it as soon as possible. A prenuptial agreement may dictate how assets are divided, how debt is managed, and whether any spousal support will be paid.  

Make a Financial Plan

Women are more financially independent now than they were in the past, but in some U.S. households the male partner still earns more than his spouse. If this is the case, it is especially important that women have a financial plan going into a divorce. 

A financial plan can help women identify what type of expenses they can expect after the divorce, whether adjustments need to be made to their current budget, and if they can afford to stay in their marital home. To make a financial plan women should review financial documents, including:

  • Bank statements
  • Retirement/investment account statements
  • Credit card statements
  • Mortgage paperwork
  • Auto loan statements
  • Tax returns

Identify Potential Post-divorce Benefits

Attorney Goldblatt can help women determine if they may be due any post-divorce benefits, either immediately following the divorce or down the road. Potential benefits include spousal support, social security, and retirement benefits.

Not all women are due spousal support, also known as alimony. However, if your spouse has been providing financial support for most of the marriage, if they bring in significantly more income, or if you are accustomed to a lifestyle that you won’t be able to maintain on your own, spousal support may be due.

Social security and retirement benefits are often ordered in a divorce. Social security benefits generally start paying out when the ex-spouse becomes eligible. If retirement benefits are due, women may choose to take a lump payout, or have their benefits deferred to the time of retirement.

Focus on Co-parenting

Divorces often involve children, which can be very difficult for the family. In most cases the court attempts to create a child custody agreement that allows the child equitable time with each parent. Unless there are obvious safety concerns that need to be addressed, one of the best things for a woman to do in a divorce is focus on creating a positive co-parenting relationship. This will make things easier for the children and will ultimately promote better communication between the parents moving forward.

Contact Our Law Firm

When going through a divorce it is important to have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side. To find out how Jeffrey W. Goldblatt, Esq. can be of assistance to you in your divorce proceedings, send us a message online or call (732) 238-8700 to schedule a consultation.

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Law Offices of Jeffrey W. Goldblatt Esq.

Attorney Jeffrey W. Goldblatt has been representing family law, criminal law, and social security disability clients since 1975. He is proud to be affiliated with top legal organizations, including:

  • Middlesex County Bar Association
  • Family Law Committee
  • Monmouth County Bar Association
  • New Jersey State Bar Association 

If you are looking for legal representation from a top-rated lawyer in East Brunswick, call our law firm at (732) 238-8700 or request a consultation online.

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