Pre -Divorce planning for Men

Pre–Divorce planning for men 

If you have decided to get divorced , but your spouse is still living with you then you need to a lot of important actions as to protect yourself  in ensuing  divorce.

Few of them are as follows :- 

1. Papers/Documents:

ASAP Shift your important papers or documents, files and other papers somewhere else. You don’t want your spouse to collect evidences/papers to be used against you.  It is most likely that she might be sift through your Study tables, lockers desk, briefcase, Car , telephone records, bills, and computer, looking for financial information that give her more information than it is required.

2. Bank & FD’s Accounts:

Always remember that it is  easier to give money back than to get it back So if you have joint account get them converted into individual name and if that not possible open a new account in your name and withdraw entire amount from your joint account in cash and deposit in your individual account.. However, If you are the main source of your family do not put your children and your spouse out in the cold without some money . Make arrangements so that bills will be covered. Let your spouse  know what you have done, but not before you have done it. You do not want her to clean out the account first.

3. Credit Cards:- You do not want to wake up one morning and discover that your spouse has swiped 50,000/- on your joint credit card and you are suppose to foot the bill. Close all joint credit Cards or loan accounts and notify the banks, charge cards, and others by a certified, return receipt letter that you are no longer responsible for the expenses of your spouse.

You may ask the bank to re-issue a new card or take a new account/Card your own name. This is a good time to request it. Let your spouse know r know so she is not caught by surprise. If your spouse has already started her spending spree, report the card as stolen and dispute every transaction.

4. Insurance:

If you cover your spouse or children on your Mediclaim insurance, do not drop them from the policy at least until the divorce is final. You are responsible for their medical bills until then. Even after the divorce, the employed spouse may want to keep the spouse and children covered as  paying insurance is much cheaper than to bear medical expenses.

5. Expenses:

Two cannot live as cheaply as one, especially if they are separated and trying to maintain two households. It is time to cut costs as much as possible. Cancel anything you do not need like extra telephone lines or cable television. If there is any personal property you do not want or need, sell it with permission of the courts.However, do not cut off the utilities on your children and their mother without giving them  notice.

6. Record and make inventory :

Make a list of everything in the house. Take pictures or make a video of  everything along with date . Include furniture, fixtures, electrical device, clothing and jewelry. Then you will know if something turns up missing, and you will have evidence of it.

7.Valuables:

Move your personal valuables, like clothes, jewelry, etc out of the house to a safe place. Anything with significant or sentimental value to you ought to be secured from your spouse. You are not trying to hide things. But you do not want to come home from work and find that your valuables have been sold at a yard sale.

7. Find a good  Lawyer:

Most importantly find a good family lawyer and set up an appointment right away. Some lawyers charge for an initial consultation and some do not. In the initial meeting, you will be able to get some good advice and strategy for your particular facts and circumstances. You will also be able to evaluate the Advocate as to see if he or she is  good  for you.

Your advocate like your trusted friend will give you sound advice like not to sign anything before he  reviews it. Your advocate will also advise you about other matters you will need to consider during this change in your life, for example executing a new will and changing any powers of attorney.

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Not a legal advise and no responsibility for consequences and resuts