Preparing for divorce can feel overwhelming, but knowing how to protect yourself before things get started is key. Taking the right steps early on can save you a lot of trouble later. From securing your finances to gathering evidence, here’s how to protect yourself before divorce to ensure you’re ready for what’s ahead.
Gather Evidence to Support Your Case
Start collecting evidence early if you’re preparing for a divorce, especially on at-fault grounds like adultery. Direct evidence like photos, videos, or your spouse’s confession provides clear proof. Indirect or circumstantial evidence, such as bank statements or suspicious texts, can help show your spouse’s affair.
This type of evidence becomes essential when requesting a larger share of the assets. The stronger your proof, the better your chances of influencing the court’s decision on property division. Begin gathering what you need before the divorce filing to ensure everything is ready when needed.
Secure Your Online and Financial Accounts
Protecting your online accounts is a critical step before divorce proceedings. Update all passwords, PINs, and security questions to something unique and unpredictable. Deactivate old accounts or delete posts that could be used against you later.
Your spouse could attempt to hack into your accounts, so it’s vital to secure everything, including social media, bank accounts, and email. Tidy up your profiles and ensure no risky information remains visible. Keeping control over your online presence helps prevent any unwanted surprises.
Ensure Confidential Communication Channels
Create new communication channels to keep your conversations with your lawyer private. Change your mailing address, especially if your spouse has access to your mail. Setting up a new email ensures you can safely exchange documents and legal updates without interference.
Don’t rely on your work email, as your employer can be forced to hand over those emails through a subpoena. Choose a free and secure personal email for all communications with your attorney. This step guarantees that your spouse won’t intercept crucial information.
Monitor and Protect Your Credit
Check your credit report as soon as you start preparing for divorce. Uncover any hidden debts or unauthorized loans that may have been taken out in your name. Keeping an eye on your credit prevents surprises that could affect you during the process.
Remove your spouse as an authorized user on your credit cards. They may still be able to make charges but won’t be responsible for the debt. Consider signing up for a credit monitoring service to stay alerted to any changes. Taking action now helps protect your financial future as you move through the divorce.
Continue Paying Financial Obligations
Stay on top of all your financial commitments during the divorce process. Keep making payments on your mortgage, credit cards, and other financial obligations. Missing payments can harm your credit score and make your financial situation harder to manage long-term. Avoid the temptation to stop paying just because your spouse isn’t contributing. Failing to meet these responsibilities could lead to foreclosure, repossession, and the loss of your home’s equity. Keep your finances stable to protect your future.
Document Key Events and Interactions
Keep a detailed record of all key events during your divorce process. Track children’s visits, conflicts, meetings with your lawyer, and any court dates. Use a reliable app to keep these records organized. Ensure you back up the information in a secure way so your spouse can’t access it. Having a clear timeline of events strengthens your position in court and helps you stay on top of important developments in the case.
Update Your Will and Beneficiaries
Updating your will is an essential step if you don’t want your spouse to inherit your assets. Without changes, your spouse could be entitled to everything if something happens to you during the divorce. Review your will and make sure the right people are listed as beneficiaries. You can update beneficiaries directly with financial institutions to ensure they honor your wishes. Taking this step protects your assets and ensures they go to the people you choose.
Separate Your Finances
Separate your financial accounts as soon as possible to prevent any manipulation. Joint accounts leave both spouses with full access, making it easy for one party to drain the funds. Open a separate account and move half of the money from joint accounts. Leave enough for your spouse and children to manage their needs, but make sure you have enough for your own survival as well. This ensures you maintain control over your financial security without leaving the other party without resources.
Take Care of Your Health
Schedule a physical check-up to protect your health during the stressful divorce process. Stress can take a toll on both mental and physical health, so it’s essential to stay on top of any health issues. Your physical condition may also play a role in custody decisions or maintenance agreements. If you suspect your spouse has been unfaithful, get tested for any potential sexually transmitted diseases. Protecting your health will help you stay strong throughout the divorce and in the aftermath.
Collect Vital Financial Documents
Start gathering essential financial documents early to avoid complications later. Collect tax returns, loan statements, real estate records, and any other financial paperwork that may be relevant to your case. These documents may become harder to access once divorce proceedings begin. Having them in your possession now ensures you have the information you need when it’s time to divide assets or address financial disputes in court.
Secure your records to prevent your spouse from tampering with or hiding any critical information. Being proactive with documentation helps you protect your financial interests and ensures a smoother process when dealing with property and debts.
Conclusion
Taking the right steps before filing for divorce helps you protect yourself during the process. By gathering evidence, securing accounts, and handling your finances wisely, you put yourself in a stronger position. Preparing early prevents unnecessary stress and ensures you have control over your situation.
Consult a lawyer to get personalized advice that fits your unique circumstances. Being prepared helps you face the divorce with confidence and keeps your future on solid ground.
Ebook
![Adobe Stock 62844981[2]](/?seraph_accel_gci=wp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F09%2FAdobeStock_628449812.jpeg&n=ZoLGz1rB9EpXzbEKYFZug)
If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “16 Steps to Help You Plan & Prepare for Your Texas Divorce“
Other Articles you may be interested in:
- Six things You Need to Know Before You File for Divorce in Texas
- I Want a Texas Divorce, but My Husband Doesn’t: What can I do?
- Am I Married? – Marital Status in Texas
- Can I sue my spouse’s mistress in Texas?
- 6 Tips – On How to prepare for a Texas Divorce
- Roadmap of Basic Divorce Procedure in Texas
- Child Custody Basics in Texas
- 6 Mistakes that can Destroy Your Texas Divorce Case
- 10 Quick Tips About Parental Visitation
- Does it Matter who Files First in a Texas Divorce?
Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring Divorce Lawyers
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s essential to speak with one of our Spring, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.
Our divorce lawyers in Spring, TX, are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form.
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
