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Leaving A Marriage

This article lists some of the practical things to consider once a decision has been made to leave a marriage ...

Leaving a marriage is never an easy thing to do. However, whether you decide to try a separation first or just go right into a divorce, there are some things you need to address properly.

First, if you have children, try to address parental concerns and come up with parenting plans to make it an easy transition for your children. Holidays and weekend arrangements as well as full custody issues need to be addressed. While you may not want to conceive of the notion right now of ever dating again, make sure you will always have at least two free weekends a month so that your spouse doesn't end up with the better deal when all is said and done. No matter how much you love your children, you are going to want to take breaks and sometimes that may mean getting away for a few days which is often easier on weekends.

Finances must be discussed when going through a divorce. Who pays the Master Card bill? Who pays the electric bill for the current household bill? Whose paycheck covers summer camps? Do you send your children to private school, if so, who will pay for that now? You will also need to begin to plan on splitting up any assets of the marriage. Who will get the home where you live currently? What about cars? Who wants the Jeep Cherokee and who will inevitably be able to afford the car payments on the Hummer?

Divorcing with your eyes wide open will help make things so much smoother for all parties concerned and it is important to tackle the task right up front when discussing parental planning and finances or division of property in an amicable fashion. Also, you need to get these things in writing while both people are in agreement because many times as divorce progresses things can and will get ugly.

If you can not afford an attorney, you need to try to agree on everything together and see one jointly to save money for you both down the road. Just because your marriage lay in ruins is no reason for your finances to be devastated by a divorce.

As soon as possible, separate all joint checking and other finances and sell all property that is jointly owned. If one party is going to keep a jointly owned home, ownership needs to find its way into one name.

The best way to prepare for a divorce is to look on the internet for divorce checklists and search out ways to make sure you cover everything. While you may not want to take care of the housekeeping involved with divorce, it will cause you less grief later if you act responsibly and take care of things now rather than later.

Above all else, be considerate, even in division of property. If you didn't collect the Elvis albums, let your spouse have them. Fairness in the division of all things will go a long way in divorce.

For more information about separation and divorce, see the "resources" section of this website, or go to articles about divorce.