5 Crucial Points to Add to Your Divorce Action Plan

We know that taking those first steps towards leaving your spouse can be daunting. Divorce is a significant life decision that comes with numerous emotional, legal and financial complexities.  

Before you embark on this journey, it's crucial to be well-prepared. Taking certain steps can help you navigate the process more smoothly and make informed decisions.  

Taking the First Steps Towards Divorce

We asked our Family Law experts what they think should be the top five priorities when creating your divorce action plan.  

1. Mental Wellbeing and Self-Reflection

Before taking any steps towards divorce, it's helpful to engage in self-reflection. Ask yourself why you're considering this path and what your expectations are for the future. Be honest about your feelings, needs, and motivations. This is a decision that you are making about yourself, and it doesn’t come lightly. You have to be sure that this is the right long-term outcome. Understanding your emotions is the first step to making informed decisions.

Once you’re sure that divorce is the path you want to go down, you need to set a goal for the future. Make a note of what you want your life to look like moving forward. Remember that it must be an achievable outcome. Make a list of everything you would like to happen and rank each of your points as “Non-negotiable,” “Some flexibility,” and “Nice to have.”  

It's important to understand that there may be some compromises along the way. Anticipating the pain points of your plan can give you a long-range strategy to negotiate for what you want. And it can help you maintain momentum and focus if things get contentious. Your divorce action plan can keep you on the right track.

2. Financial Planning 

Divorce has significant financial implications. Where will you live? What can you afford on your own? How will the assets be split? How will your children be looked after and financed?

Start by assessing your current financial situation. Create a detailed budget that outlines your income, expenses, assets, and debts. This will serve as a foundation for understanding your financial resources and obligations during and after divorce. Consider consulting a financial advisor who specialises in divorce to help you make informed decisions about property division, child support, and other financial matters.  

Having a clear financial divorce action plan will provide stability during a challenging time. Knowledge is power and should provide an anchor in uncertain times.

3. Secure Your Support Network

Divorce can bring with it a lot of guilt, particularly for the person instigating the breakup. Whether it’s your decision, your spouse’s, or a mutual agreement to part, it’s important to remember that you can’t help the way you do or don’t feel.

Family breakdowns can be emotionally taxing in many ways. But you don't have to go through it alone. Seek emotional support from friends, family, or support groups who can provide empathy and understanding.  

Ensure that you have a reliable support system in place to assist with practical matters, such as childcare, housing, and transportation, if needed. Remember that self-care is essential during this time, so prioritise your mental and emotional well-being.

Be prepared to find out who your real allies are during this time and accept that relationships change. There are two sides to every story, and you and your spouse may have very different perspectives. Both of you are likely to need to open up to friends. While it’s unhelpful for people who are external to the marriage to take sides, it’s not uncommon for a split of the friendship groups to occur during times of divorce.

You also may find that the decision to divorce has been reached by your spouse, leaving you feeling you have a loss of control. This can be frightening and emotionally devastating, so it is even more important to build your support network to help you navigate the difficult time ahead.

4. Co-Parenting Options

If you have children, their well-being should be a top priority. Ideally, you will work collaboratively with your spouse to develop a comprehensive co-parenting plan that addresses childcare arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making responsibilities.  

Maintaining open lines of communication is helpful for minimising conflict and creating a stable environment for your children. Consideration has to be given as to whether this can be done safely. However, if you have experienced domestic abuse, Children often experience emotional challenges during divorce, so providing them with support and reassurance is crucial. Be careful of the language you use around your kids when referring to your spouse. And don’t be dragged into any name-calling spats or mind games. Try to stay as neutral as possible if things get heated. Chances are your spouse is hurt and lashing out, and knee-jerk reactions could create conflict that is distressing to your children. It can even cause setbacks to legal proceedings if it gets out of hand.

5. Seek Legal Advice

Consult with an experienced family law solicitor to understand your rights, responsibilities, and the legal process involved in divorce. They can provide guidance on how to protect your interests during divorce proceedings. Early advice can be necessary for settling on the best strategy to achieve what you need, before any steps are taken. It can give you a clearer picture of the end goal and avoid the need for backtracking on the things you might have done differently had that advice been obtained at the beginning.

Gather and organise your financial and legal documents, such as bank statements, tax returns, property deeds, and any pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreements, to help your solicitor assess your situation.

Navigating the legal intricacies of divorce can be overwhelming, which is why consulting with an experienced divorce solicitor is paramount to getting a fair outcome from the process. They can provide you with valuable guidance on your rights, responsibilities, and the divorce process. Your family law specialist can also assist you in understanding how different legal arguments may affect your specific case.  

Preparing your divorce action plan together with your solicitor can help them to evaluate your circumstance and build a strong case on your behalf.

The 5 Steps of a Solid Divorce Action Plan

1. Self-care – have you made sure that you are making the right decision? Are you mentally prepared for some rocky moments?
2. Finances – do you understand your financial situation as it is now? What can you afford right now and what are you expecting to receive?
3. Support network – do you have the right support from friends and wider family? Do you need some professional support?
4. Co-parenting – have you researched where you will live and how the children fit into that? Do you have a proposal for co-parenting that is fair and puts the children first?
5. Legal advice – early advice can help you to build the right strategy.

Creating a Divorce Action Plan is the Key to a Smooth Divorce 

Divorce is a significant life event that requires careful preparation. By addressing these five aspects, you can navigate divorce with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience. Remember that every divorce is unique, and seeking professional guidance is a wise choice. Preparing for divorce is not just about ending a chapter; it's about starting a new one with a well-thought-out divorce action plan that paves the way for a brighter future for the whole family.

Many people find reassurance in receiving support from an expert family law solicitor. It can alleviate some of the stress that comes with the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership. Winston Solicitors can discuss your situation with you on day one, or even before you have reached a final decision about your future. We can provide advice on the divorce process, complex financial situations and advise on the arrangements for your children.

If you are considering a divorce and need advice about your personal situation, we are here to support and guide you through the process. Get in touch with us today. We are always happy to help.