Lake County Divorce Preparation Lawyer

The storm clouds have been gathering for some time now, and you've finally decided (or perhaps your spouse has decided) that a divorce is eminent. What can you do to prepare yourself for the difficult times ahead?

For starters, call us. At the Libertyville, Illinois family law firm of Matthew Kaplan & Associates we are 100% dedicated to helping couples deal with the many important matters that surround a divorce. From property division to child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance, we can provide smart advice and effective representation aimed at helping you navigate through the divorce process with a minimum of emotional and financial pain.

Our Lake County family law attorneys have more than thirty years of combined experience in family law, their knowledge and expertise can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel, and then chart a course to get you there.

Contact us today for a free, half-hour in-office consultation regarding your divorce. During this meeting, we'll listen intently to your story, encourage questions, explore your needs, and provide you with a rough estimate of the time trouble that may be required to achieve your goals.

In the meantime, here are some helpful hints that will help you prepare for what's ahead:

• gather and make copies of any financial statements, bank records, tax returns, deeds, mortgages, vehicle titles and other financial documents
• open a checking or savings account with your name only. If possible, transfer funds from your joint account into your new personal accounts
• look into the status of your health care coverage if you are covered under your spouse's plan. How long will you continue to have coverage? You may want to consider having any dental work or medical exams while you are still covered
• gather and make copies of any prenuptial agreements, health care directives, powers of attorney, or other legal documents
• consider establishing a relationship with a counselor or therapist with whom you can confide
• inform your family members and others who care about you - you will need support in the days and weeks ahead, and family members and friends are often a welcome source of comfort and support

Taking these simple steps can go along way toward making the divorce process go more smoothly. In addition, gathering the documents you need and doing some smart planning can help you avoid confrontation with your spouse, which is especially important if there is considerable animosity between the two of you.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help make your divorce a less painful, less stressful, and less expensive. Getting a divorce may signify the end of your marriage; however, it also signifies the beginning of a new chapter in your life. We can help make sure your new life gets off to the right start by helping to craft a divorce settlement that works for you.