The first tip for divorce in Connecticut is to define what is most important to you in your divorce and what your future goals are beyond the divorce. What issue must be resolved as most important? Is it about your children, your finances, your safety, your career? What plans do you have for your future? Armed with the answer to these questions, you can drive your divorce on a straight path that addresses your most important issue and leads you meet to your future goals. What is your vision for the future?
Tip #2 For Divorce in Connecticut: Consult an Attorney
The second tip for divorce in Connecticut is to consult with an attorney. Plain and simple, if you represent yourself, you have a fool for a client. Divorce is very emotional and a lot of laundry may be hung out to dry and/or sensitive issues may arise. You need calm distant between yourself and the legal process to proceed with settlement negations and court proceedings in a professional manner. Also, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. If you do not have an attorney, you will not know whether you have enough information to make informed decisions about the settlement agreement and/or court procedure. Contact an experienced family lawyer with the knowledge and resources to provide simple, clear and practical advice.
Tip #3 For Divorce in Connecticut: Gather Financial Information
The third tip for divorce in Connecticut is to gather financial information. You will need to complete a financial affidavit to be filed with the court. Account for your income, expenses, assets and liabilities such as credit card debt and loans. Gather copies of all financial statements, tax returns, pay stubs and bills.
Tip #4 For Divorce in Connecticut: Protect Your Children
The fourth tip for divorce in Connecticut is to protect the best interest of your children. You will be required to participate in parenting education classes. The issues to be addressed in your divorce with regard to your children are child custody and child support. Legal custody of a child has to do with decision making on important issues such a medical, religion and education. With your lawyer, create a parenting plan that explains how decisions will be made and by whom and a detail of parenting time each parent will spend with the children.
Tip #5 For Divorce in Connecticut: Build a Team
The fifth tip for divorce in Connecticut is to build a divorce team. In addition to hiring a great lawyer, make sure you have an accountant, financial advisor, life coach, friends or family to vent with, a personal trainer or fitness instructor, a nutritionist and any other support staff that applies to your situation. For your legal process, your team may include real estate appraisers, pension experts and medical doctors.
Tip #6 For Divorce in Connecticut: Honesty is the Best Policy
The sixth tip for divorce in Connecticut is to be honest with your attorney. Attorneys can only defend what they know. In order to prepare your case and to settle your matter in the best possible way, it is imperative that you retain a lawyer that you feel comfortable to confide in, a lawyer that you trust. The last thing that you and your lawyer want during settlement negotiations and/or a hearing in court is a big surprise about something your lawyer has no idea of or was not able to prepare for. This may negatively impact your case.
Tip #7 for Divorce in Connecticut: Create a Marital History
The seventh tip for divorce in Connecticut is to prepare a marital history. Start from when you first met your spouse to the present time. Detail your relationship, your family life, your children, and, for both you and your spouse, describe education, work and medical history. This marital summary is important as it highlights matters that may influence your settlement and/or court hearing.
Tip #8 For Divorce in Connecticut: Know your Range For Settlement
The eighth tip for divorce in Connecticut is to know your acceptable range for settlement. From the beginning of your divorce, you should be preparing for trial. This is the quickest way to settle a case. When you prepare for trial, you complete all discovery, update legal research and have a good financial picture upon which to base and support your settlement proposals
Tip #9 For Divorce in Connecticut: Consider Tax Implications
The ninth tip for divorce in Connecticut is to consider the tax implications of your divorce settlement. Work with your lawyer and your accountant to know the tax implication of each financial transaction. Is it a nontaxable event? Is there a tax penalty for this withdrawal? This is the most overlooked aspect of divorce and it can cause financial hardship post judgment if not taken into consideration in settlement negotiations.
Tip #10 for Divorce in Connecticut: Settle your Case
The tenth tip for divorce in Connecticut is to make every attempt possible to settle your matter. Remember, you only get one bite at the apple. You want to get it right. The best possible outcome is one that both you and your spouse can agree on. Leaving the matter in the hands of the court and a judge who does not know you and who will be limited to make a decision based on a small amount of information that is provided at trial may not bring out a result that either you or your spouse want.
Conclusion for Divorce in Connecticut
Divorce can be complicated. Decide what you want out of life. Hire a good lawyer, Collect financial information. Place emphasis on the best interest of your children. Surround yourself with a support team. Honesty is the best policy when working with your lawyer. Detail your marital history. Prepare your case and know the acceptable range of settlement. Know the tax implications. Try your best to settle your case. Shift negative time and energy you spent on your failed marriage and redirect it to your personal needs, your family, your community and your future goals.
