Thinking about divorce and not sure if filing first makes a difference. I’m mostly worried about property and retirement savings. Anyone know what I should do?
From what I’ve heard, filing first doesn’t really give you an advantage. It’s more about personal choice.
Yasmin said:
From what I’ve heard, filing first doesn’t really give you an advantage. It’s more about personal choice.
Good to know. Thanks! Do you think I should get a lawyer before making any moves?
@Scofield
Definitely. A lawyer can help you figure out how to protect your assets before you file. Better safe than sorry.
If you’ve been married for a long time, dividing things like retirement and property can get tricky. Do you have a prenup?
Galen said:
If you’ve been married for a long time, dividing things like retirement and property can get tricky. Do you have a prenup?
Yeah, we have a prenup. Signed and notarized before marriage.
@Scofield
That helps a lot! Just make sure it’s legit. Sometimes DIY prenups can have issues in court.
@Scofield
What’s a prenup? Sorry, not familiar with that term.
Harlem said:
@Scofield
What’s a prenup? Sorry, not familiar with that term.
It’s short for prenuptial agreement. Basically, a contract about how assets are split if you divorce.
You should also start separating finances ASAP. Open a new account for your income so things don’t get mixed up.
Harlem said:
You should also start separating finances ASAP. Open a new account for your income so things don’t get mixed up.
Makes sense. I’ll look into that. Any other tips?
Harlem said:
You should also start separating finances ASAP. Open a new account for your income so things don’t get mixed up.
Makes sense. I’ll look into that. Any other tips?
Keep track of all your assets and their values. It’ll help you later if things go to court.
If your prenup came from a legal forms site, it might still be valid, but make sure it’s reviewed by a lawyer.
GuardianshipGuides3 said:
If your prenup came from a legal forms site, it might still be valid, but make sure it’s reviewed by a lawyer.
Got it. I’ll get it checked out. Any idea how much a review might cost?
@Scofield
Depends on the lawyer, but for a 7-page doc, it shouldn’t be too expensive. Just make sure they specialize in family law.
Also, be ready to negotiate. Even with a prenup, some things like assets earned during marriage might still be split.
Wil said:
Also, be ready to negotiate. Even with a prenup, some things like assets earned during marriage might still be split.
Good point. I’ll try to get a clear picture of everything we own before starting anything.
@Scofield
Smart move. And don’t forget to factor in stuff like alimony or child support if they apply.