Quick Tips For Managing Divorce During the Corona Age
Divorce can be stressful enough, but throw Corona into the mix and you might feel like your world will collapse. It doesn’t have to be this way and you can survive and even thrive during this process. All it takes is a little planning and this period can be managed quite successfully.
Although the pandemic has caused everyone to question the future because of job uncertainty, fluctuating real estate values, and constant health concerns there is a way to move forward and not get too overwhelmed. Things may not proceed how they usually do during the divorce process but maybe this is a good thing for you to pave your own unique path. The best thing to do is to focus on the things that you can control in the here and now.
See below for some simple but effective tips on how to manage your divorce during the pandemic.
Do Your Research
Divorce isn’t one size fits all. What worked for your friend or co-worker may not work for you. Research all options available to get a divorce. Do you need to hire two attorneys or would a more collaborative approach suit you? There are online resources to see the difference in approach and cost for all the potential professionals you may encounter. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and dig deep before making any decisions.
One of the options is pro se which means you and your spouse go it alone and draft and file the paperwork by yourselves. This may seem like the most budget-conscious option but could end up costing you more if you are not armed with all of the correct information and/or you don’t file the papers correctly.
Second, would be to go the traditional route and hire two attorneys. This can get costly very quickly.
Third, would be to try and hybrid of the two options and mediate your divorce with a neutral third-party professional. This may be a good option during the pandemic since you can easily mediate safely online.
Get An Accurate Financial Picture
What is in the marriage financially? It’s helpful to make a list of all the assets and debts in the marriage including any shared property, bank accounts, stocks, and credit card debt. The more you know the easier it will be to manage.
Budget
After you have the assembled information creating a post-divorce budget is essential. This can help determine what will be needed for both parties to function after the divorce. Keep in mind that now there will be two households with double the expenses so that may factor into how things are managed going forward.
COVID Concerns
If you will be co-parenting you will need to discuss how you will handle your child’s schedule during this time and what you are both comfortable with. It’s imperative that parents agree to what they will or will not allow during this time. Incorporating this into your parenting plan now will help ease any tensions moving forward.
Day In Court
Perhaps it’s best not to expect your day in court. Courts are still operating at limited capacity and many cases are delayed. It may be best to adjust your expectations on how your divorce will be handled. It is completely possible (and was even before COVID) to have an entirely online divorce. Although it might not seem traditional, more and more people are getting divorced this way.
Managing Divorce During Coronavirus COVID-19
As you can see with a little adjustment it is entirely possible to have a seamless divorce experience even during the pandemic. At Divorce Harmony we have been operating entirely online even before the pandemic. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.
