“Winning”
is not an accurate term. Divorce is a difficult
and/or a sad process. “Winning”
is defining goals on the other side of your
divorce and making a plan to achieve these
goals. The goals can be regarding
custody, property division, debt division,
or other specific outcome to your case.
You
and your attorney should:
Define
your divorce goals and write them down. You should complete the following:
1. Custody of the children should be as follows:
2. Visitation should be as follows:
3. The property should be divided as follows:
4. The debts should be divided as follows:
5. My special considerations should be as
follows:
This
list is an oversimplification, but you need
to start brainstorming all areas of your life,
and the lives around you, and how the decisions
you make, as a result of this divorce, will
impact you and others so that the best possible
outcome is sought after and achieved.
This
plan should have realistic expectations and
should only occur after a full and honest
discussion with your attorney.
Discuss risks and benefits of each goal with
your attorney.
Discuss
the legal costs of each goal with your attorney.
Write
down your goals before you go see the attorney
and review each one in conference with him
or her.
Get
your financial paperwork, and any other evidence,
together as soon as you believe it is possible
you may go through a divorce. You should find
it or be prepared to lose it.
Stay
educated throughout the divorce.
Don’t
be afraid to ask questions. There
are no “stupid questions”.
Make
appointments if you cannot reach the attorney
by phone.
If
you don’t understand a legal document
then say so. Don’t remain silent.
Don’t
sign what you don’t understand. The
attorney will answer your question if you
ask.
Be
fair.
Be
reasonable.
Share
the parenting powers set out by the law with
the other parent unless there is a special
reason not to do so.
