Divorce Resources
Aside from the obvious personal difficulties, there are many practical considerations in a divorce. In this guide you'll find resources that will introduce the divorce process, provide you with legal resources, and offer guidance for managing your finances. You'll also find information about supporting your children, and tools to find counseling for yourself or your family.
For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Statistics indicate that we all know someone, or many people, who are divorced, but only those who ... read more »
There are a lot of legal considerations when going through a divorce, and at times your emotions ... read more »
In most cases you'll need a lawyer to assist with your divorce, but understanding divorce law and ... read more »
Division of assets and managing finances are usually the greatest challenges in any divorce case. Although many people now create prenuptial agreements, even these require detailed executions, knowledge, and understanding of legal and financial issues. The following sites offer basic tips and advice on how to divide your finances and assets.
- A prenuptial agreement will most likely expedite the process of a divorce. If you did make such an agreement, use the lawyer who helped you construct your prenup to refer you to a divorce specialist who will better understand your specific needs. And if your prenup doesn't hold up, try this article from Smartmoney.com, "When Prenups Fail".
- Chances are you will have a divorce lawyer who will address most of these matters for you. However, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the topics, and also use the tools that will help you manage your finances.
To manage your finances during a divorce ...
SmartMoney.com
has some great resources for couples going through a divorce in its "Marriage and Divorce" section. Scroll down the page a bit to see articles about dividing assets as well as other financial divorce matters (taxes, child support, alimony). You'll even find a "Deductible Alimony Calculator" and a "Property Settlement Calculator" under "Worksheets" near the top of the page.
MSN Money
offers this article about smart ways to manage your finances while divorcing. Basic tips throughout the text are supplemented with links to related topics-like an article called "Should you keep the house in a divorce?"
Forbes
has an article called "How to Survive a Divorce, Financially" that explains some of the financial effects of getting a divorce, and ways to curb some of the financial blow. Forbes also has an article "
In Pictures: Money Tips for Divorces" that provides 10 tips to saving money during a divorce, accompanied by illustrations (just click the play arrow above the first frame to view the slideshow).
For valuation and registration of assets ...
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
, mentioned earlier as a site for finding a lawyer, indexes resources for valuing your assets. Find out through the recommended sites what your homes, vehicles, boats, animals, industrial goods, and stocks are worth.
Informed Divorce
is a service provided by a family law firm in Washington State. The section on financial planning, on the left sidebar, has useful links that will help you calculate your assets, liabilities, and monthly expenses.
For financial planning specific to divorce ...
Family Law Software, Inc.
is a software program that allows you to facilitate your own divorce by organizing your financial situation and settlement independently. You can also use this site to find professionals who will help you personally. The package costs $179.
Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts
is a service that will help you find a financial analyst if you are getting divorced. Enter your zip code for a list of professionals in your area-suggested lawyers have been certified and educated as financial professionals in divorce cases.
Whether you want to find better ways to talk to your children or learn how to maintain rules and ... read more »
Many couples and families going through divorce opt to visit a counselor: briefly, long term, ... read more »
Most Recent Guides
Expand All Guide Sections
