How do I “plan” for divorce?

As soon as possible you should try to determine the nature and extent of your property, debt and financial holdings and gather together any documents containing that information. We will need this information in order to determine how the property should be divided or what recommendations would be in your best interest.

You should attempt to start dividing out your respective debts and obligations as soon as possible. Because the court usually looks at the date on which the petition for divorce is filed in determining obligations, you should try to keep your financial relations separate after that time, if at all possible. It may be best to open new checking, savings and charge card accounts and close or inactivate accounts on which both you and your spouse have together. This will make it easier for you and the court to make a fair division of debt at the end of your case.