One thing you did not have in mind when you got married in the St. Louis, Missouri, area is divorce. But now that it has become a reality, you might be wondering how you can split up as fast as possible. Before you do and say some things that you might come to regret, you should take some time to determine what you really expect to get out of your divorce settlement.
There are many things for you to consider besides who gets the kids and alimony. Though this is a stressful situation that you want to move on from immediately, consider the following factors first.
Establish priorities
Your emotions may seem overwhelming and make it hard for you to focus on what you need to do to protect your interests. You must figure out how to separate yourself from your feelings so you can establish priorities. Think about what you want out of the divorce. Maybe you want the marital home, a few rental properties and financial support for you and your children. Once you realize what you want, you can work towards getting it.
Identify problem areas
Your spouse might not be so willing to meet your divorce demands and will likely make a few of his or her own. Though there are rules governing the division of marital property and assets, you still have a say in the arrangements. Identify the issues that are stopping you from getting what you want. For example, maybe your spouse does not want to give you the marital home because he or she feels you are trying to take everything. Come up with compromises that sweeten the deal for your partner to make it more beneficial for him or her to give you more of what you want in the settlement.
Try to stay calm and realistic about the situation. Separations are never easy. There is nothing wrong with you wanting to move past this time in your life. Plan your exit carefully and think about speaking with an attorney to avoid mistakes that could cause complications in your divorce.
