Divorce can be intimidating and stressful for all involved parties. It tends to take an emotional, mental, physical, and financial toll on nearly every aspect of your life. With almost 50% of marriages ending in divorce, you may be wondering what you can do to make it through the divorce process a little easier.
Here at the Jimenez Law Firm, we make it our goal to help people understand that divorce, though difficult, doesn’t have to ruin your life.
Divorce Tips for Men
We’ve put together some of the most helpful divorce tips we have to help you make it through this difficult time. A lot of this advice can apply to many men and women alike and some is tailored specifically for men. Take the time to read through these tips to discover how you can make it through your divorce in one piece.
1. Think before moving out
There are some situations where the decision to move out is in everyone’s best interest. The truth is, you should sit down and really think about things before you pack your bags. Leaving your wife and children behind in the family home could mean only seeing your children at your wife’s discretion until an agreement is officially on the books. If you and your spouse are still cooperating, then this may not be an issue. However, if your spouse may withhold the kids or your possessions, you may want to think twice.
In addition, moving out will put extra strain on the family finances. The cost of a second house or a second apartment during the divorce, as well as an attorney and the costs of the divorce itself may unreasonably strain your budget. Even if you find yourself crashing on a friend’s couch, there may be additional expenses that result.
Before you make the decision to move out, it’s a good idea to speak with your divorce attorney to discuss the pros and cons of the decision and understand how it may affect your case.
2. Find an attorney
Speaking of attorneys, you’ll want to hire a divorce lawyer of your own. To start that process, many firms (including The Jimenez Law Firm) perform client consultations (a one-on-one meeting with an attorney about your unique case). This will allow you to get a feel for the attorney’s style, how they approach cases, and what they believe they may be able to help you with. Ideally, you’ll want an attorney ready to aggressively defend your rights and the rights of your children while working toward a fair divorce settlement.
3. Focus on the children
When going through a divorce, it’s easy to get caught up in what you’re feeling. It can be difficult to not focus entirely on your own needs. However, if you have minor children, then you need to remember to focus on them above all else. Divorce is hard on the entire family. You, your spouse, and your children are all affected by the end of the marriage. While it is important to take care of yourself and focus on your healing, it’s even more important to focus on your children and helping them through this difficult time. When it comes to issues such as the family home, child custody, and child support, your focus should be on what is best for the children rather than what will hurt your spouse or what you want. Texas courts take the best interests of the child very seriously.
4. Avoid lying about finances
While it may seem tempting to lie about your financial situation to avoid higher child support, alimony, or the division of property, it isn’t worth it. Many, if not every, aspect of your finances will be examined and analyzed during the divorce process, and while TV shows and movies love to depict spouses hiding assets and lying about their financial situation for their benefit, misrepresenting your finances is not just detrimental to your case – it can be illegal. In some situations, lying could mean losing the asset entirely or getting into trouble by the court for misconduct. It’s best to be open and honest about your finances and other aspects of the divorce. When in doubt, speak to your attorney.
5. Try to reach an agreement
Uncontested divorces can be much less expensive. An uncontested divorce is one in which neither party disagrees that the marriage is “insupportable” as defined in the Texas Family Code. While that sounds like everyone’s on the same page, an uncontested divorce can be just as difficult and emotionally draining as a contested divorce. Remember – it’s still a divorce. Two spouses are splitting, property needs to be divided, and both parents may need to work out the custody arrangement for children under eighteen years old.
Thankfully, through mediation, it’s possible to reach an agreement that you and your former spouse can agree on. However, in order to accomplish this, you must be open to the idea of reaching an agreement.
On the other hand, if you or your ex-spouse are pushing back every step of the way, the next option is to go to trial. The dangers of going to court could mean that neither of you gets exactly what you want because the judge will be the one to decide the terms of the divorce, the division of property, and, depending on the severity of the lack of co-operation, the custody and visitation schedule for the children.
You Aren’t Alone in Your Divorce
During this difficult time, it’s important to lean on friends and family to help you get through it mentally, emotionally, and physically. Divorce takes quite a toll, and it’s crucial to maintain a reliable and healthy emotional support system. Take care as you work through the grieving process, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you need it.
Making a divorce lawyer part of your support system is one of the best choices you can make. The Jimenez Law Firm is completely stacked with great lawyers who will defend your rights and the best interests of your children. Every attorney in our office has an intimate understanding of Texas divorce law and regulations, as well as the resources to answer any of your case questions.
Focus on your children and move forward throughout the process. When in doubt, talk to your attorney who can provide legal advice and guidance through the process.
If you have any questions about getting divorced, reach out to the professionals at The Jimenez Law Firm at (214) 513-0125 for a consultation.
