Men and women suffer at the end of a marriage, as do the children. But as hard as it might be to get through, there are critical issues you need to address in a divorce proceeding.

The Division of Assets

Joint debts aren’t necessarily joint in the sense that both spouses owe money. To determine which debts you should be responsible for after a divorce, make a list of all the debts you and your spouse owe. Whether jointly or individually, be prepared to explain your reasons for the division of debts. Additionally, you may need to sell your home if you don’t remain in the marital house. Sometimes it is too painful to do so, and others, you might simply need the money. However, ensure you awarded the property before putting it up for sale.

Custody of the Children

Your divorce will be very hard for your children. Caught up in a battle between parents can threaten the stability of your relationships with them. Sometimes, the kids may even choose sides. And custody battles can become very bitter. Equal parenting time is great unless there’s a reason why your kid shouldn’t see your ex, such as drug abuse or stability issues. But it’s usually in your child’s best interest to have a relationship with both parents. Further, equal custody often reduces conflicts between exes, increasing child welfare between all parties.

The Kids’ Education

People often move residence following a divorce. For instance, you might relocate to another city, region, or country. And the kids’ education can suffer during this process. While children are resilient, school life can be crushing. Especially if your children are adolescents. Above 11 years of age is considered the worst time you can consider a divorce. Additionally, the social stigma of a child of divorce could increase bullying and conflict in school, making it 16% more likely to experience further issues such as depression and anxiety.

Amendments to Insurance Policies

Insurance policies are an essential part of life, no matter where you live. Health, life, vehicle, home, and even pet insurance are required if the worst happens. Suppose it’s the case that your ex-partner pays your insurance. Then you will want continued coverage. And you should carefully consider pushing for this during proceedings as it could be a considerable expense for yourself later on. If you aren’t sure your ex will agree, you can request cover and beneficiary for your kids. At least you will have peace of mind where they are concerned if anything happens.

Financial Records and Legal Documents

Of course, there are many arguments during legal proceedings, such as divorce. Therefore, you will help yourself immensely if you gather as much pertinent information as possible. For example, present your financial records to show you cannot support yourself without specific assets and keep copies of all legal documents. Having as much material on hand as possible will benefit your case. And you might also consider documentation that goes against your spouse’s arguments, such as arrests, disturbances, and evidence of illegal activity.

Summary

Going through a divorce isn’t a good experience, and it can become bitter. However, you need to think about essential things such as finances, assets, your home, and child custody.