What if you’ve decided to end your marriage and get a divorce, but you aren’t sure how to initiate the process and make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible? Not surprisingly, there are a number of things that you can do before announcing your intentions to divorce that can help your entire family through the days, weeks, and months ahead. Here is a list of actions, preparations, and considerations as you move to make your divorce public:

•    Consider couples counseling. Whether you want to try and work out your differences one last time or whether you want to make a smooth and amicable transition with your spouse, counseling can help you better understand each other’s thoughts and feelings. Cooperation during and after the divorce help your children and save you time and money.
•    Learn about the Washington State divorce process. Understanding what filing for divorce, seeking child custody, and settling alimony is like is key to having a just, fair, and drama-free divorce. To begin, read more about Washington divorce in our legal library.
•    Review your finances. Know about your assets, debts, income, and living expenses. List your joint accounts and separate accounts. Begin saving money if you are able and begin to separate your finances were possible. Build your individual credit. Being aware of the full picture of your family’s financial situation will help you plan how you will support yourself and live after the divorce.
•    Decide on when, where, and how to tell your spouse. The right place and time might begin the process more amicably – and keep you safe in case your spouse has a history of violence. Again, consult a therapist or specialist if you have questions.
•    Find a qualified, experienced Washington State divorce lawyer. A divorce attorney can help you answer any questions you have about how divorces are finalized, whether you’ll need to go to court, and whether you should choose a mediated divorce. A divorce lawyer can also help you understand the Washington State divorce process and help you avoid common mistakes.
Molly B. Kenny
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Divorce and Child Custody Attorney Serving Bellevue and Seattle Washington