Preparing for Divorce
When it’s time to get started, you're not alone.
Preparing for a divorce can be complex and emotional, touching on the most intimate aspects of one’s life and future. It’s essential to understand the legal and financial implications of divorce while also considering the well-being of everyone involved, particularly when children are affected.
Onward provides:
- Personal Task Management
- Legal & Financial Guidance
- Secure Document Storage
- Emotional & Relational Content
- AI-powered Assistance & Onward Experts
- Access to Support Groups & Community
Pricing & Features
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Essential
Everything you’ll likely need to guide you
- Personalized assistance through entire divorce journey.
- Tools to streamline financial disclosure requirements
- Expert advice from Onward Specialists
- Secure document storage
- Full access to Onward content library
- Community forums
- Emotional wellness guidance
Free
Premium
Everything in Essential, plus add'l tools for more complex cases
- Assistance with completion & filing of required state forms
- Parsing of uploaded financial statements and forms
- Budgeting Tools
- Settlement Simulation
- Co-Parenting Calendar
- Expense reimbursement submission and tracking
$150
/ month
Collaboration
Everything in Premium for you and your spouse, lawyer, or financial advisor
$250
/ month
Post Divorce
- Custom, detailed instructions for all divorce settlement obligations
- Personalized plan for establishing independence
- Expert advice from Onward specialists
- Secure document storage
- Full access to Onward content library
- Emotional wellness guidance
- Community forums
$20
/ month
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first steps I should take when preparing for divorce?
Begin by gathering important financial documents including tax returns, bank statements, investment accounts, credit card statements, mortgage documents, and retirement account information. Open an individual bank account in your name only if you don’t have one. Make copies of important documents and store them securely. Start documenting household expenses to understand your budget needs. Consider consulting with a divorce attorney to understand your rights and options in your state.
What financial documents do I need to gather before filing for divorce?
Organize these essential documents to ensure full financial disclosure:
Income & Tax Documents:
- Past 3-5 years of tax returns
- Recent pay stubs and W-2s
- Documentation of bonuses, commissions, or self-employment income
Asset Documentation:
- Bank statements for all accounts (checking, savings, money market)
- Investment and brokerage account statements
- Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
- Property deeds and mortgage statements
- Vehicle titles and loan information
- Insurance policies (life, health, auto, home)
Debt & Liability Information:
- Credit card statements for all accounts
- Student loan, personal loan, and business loan documents
- Any other outstanding debt information
Having organized financial records is crucial for property division negotiations and meeting legal disclosure requirements during divorce proceedings.
How do I protect my finances during divorce preparation?
Take these proactive steps to safeguard your financial position:
Account Management:
- Close joint credit cards or remove your spouse as an authorized user
- Open individual bank and credit card accounts in your own name
- Monitor joint accounts regularly for unusual activity
- Consider freezing your credit to prevent unauthorized accounts
Financial Behavior:
- Avoid making large purchases or financial decisions unilaterally
- Document your income and expenses carefully
- Maintain or improve your credit score
- Keep copies of all financial statements and transactions
Professional Guidance:
- Consult with a financial advisor who specializes in divorce
- Understand the implications of different asset division scenarios
- Create a realistic budget for your post-divorce life
These protective measures help ensure you enter divorce negotiations from a position of financial awareness and security.
Should I continue living with my spouse while preparing for divorce?
This depends on your specific situation. Some couples continue living together during divorce proceedings for financial reasons, to minimize disruption for children, or because neither can afford to move out immediately. Others separate earlier for safety reasons, to reduce conflict, or to begin emotional healing. Consider factors like safety, financial feasibility, impact on children, and your emotional wellbeing. If you do continue living together, establish boundaries and consider a written agreement about household responsibilities and expectations.
How do I tell my spouse I want a divorce?
Choose a private, calm moment when you’re both relatively rested and not rushed. Be direct but compassionate. Avoid blindsiding them if possible. Use “I” statements rather than blame. Be prepared for a range of emotional reactions. If you fear an unsafe reaction, tell them in a public place or have support nearby. Consider writing down what you want to say beforehand. Be clear about your decision if it’s final, rather than leaving false hope. If appropriate, suggest couple’s counseling to help navigate the conversation and transition.
What should I know about child custody before starting divorce proceedings?
Understand that courts prioritize the best interests of the child above all else. Familiarize yourself with custody types: physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (who makes major decisions). Joint custody arrangements are increasingly common. Document your involvement in your children’s daily care, school activities, and medical appointments. Never use children as messengers or put them in the middle of disputes. Consider what parenting schedule would realistically work with your job and living situation. Be prepared to create a detailed parenting plan outlining schedules, decision-making, and dispute resolution.
How long does divorce preparation typically take?
Divorce preparation timing varies widely based on complexity of assets, presence of children, level of cooperation between spouses, and whether you’re gathering information before informing your spouse. Simple cases with few assets and no children might require 1-2 months of preparation. Complex cases with significant assets, business interests, or custody disputes may need 3-6 months or more. Use this time to organize finances, research legal requirements in your state, consult with professionals, and prepare emotionally.
Do I need to hire a divorce attorney immediately?
While not always immediately necessary, consulting with an attorney early can be valuable even if you don’t hire them right away. Many attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations where you can learn about your rights, understand the process in your state, get advice on next steps, and determine if you need full representation. For simple, uncontested divorces with no children and few assets, you might manage with less or no legal help. For contested divorces, complex finances, or custody issues, hiring an attorney early is typically advisable. Using a tool like Onward can help you get organized and ready to make the most out of your time with your attorney or consultant.