Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Season of Change

Its that time of year again... Back to School time.  I know all of the teachers out there are groaning.  But I think its fair to say that most people have fond memories of the excitement of late August/early September.  Parents take their kids shopping for new school clothes, many scour Pinterest for easy crockpot weeknight meals,  and we set goals for ourselves and our children.  Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention a big seasonal attention grabber.... "Are you ready for some football!!!???"  The excitement of Autumn cannot be denied.  Unfortunately, the flip side to the excitement is the stress associated with busier schedules, and the reality of relationships that are less than stellar.

Today's post is to give some points to consider when making your own goal for the school year.  If you're considering divorce or seeking a change in custody or support, you should consult with an attorney.  A simple consultation with an experienced attorney will give you an idea of what to expect.  The attorney will tell you what documents are needed to pursue your goal and can usually give you a general idea of how long the process may take.  You will also be given information on the attorney's hourly rate and retainer requirement.  We all know money is a significant factor.  You may need to plan ahead for the necessary expense associated with divorce or a support motion.

A recent article in "U.S. News & World Reports" titled "7 Financial Steps to Take When Getting a Divorce" discusses the importance of having a team of experts on your side, including an experienced attorney, a financial analyst and a mental health counselor.  Divorce and co-parenting are stressful.  You will need to vent to someone objective. 

Having your important paperwork organized for your attorney will help you gain familiarity with the finances and help maximize the time your spend with your lawyer.  In addition, getting a copy of your credit report and making sure you have at least one credit card in your own name is also a good idea - both for clarifying your financial exposure, but also to plan for when you're on your own.   Sketching out a budget - using various financial scenarios - can also help clarify your goal. 

Take advantage of the excitement in the Autumn air and do something for yourself this back-to-school season. 

For more information, I can be reached at 609-601-6600.  Find my page on Facebook too!
Best,
Stephanie  

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