Although a divorce may be an emotional event, it is important to do whatever it takes to protect your personal and financial interests. For instance, you may want to hire a California attorney to help you negotiate a fair settlement. It may also be a good idea to put safeguards in place to ensure that money can’t be withdrawn or transferred from a joint account without your approval.
Look into freezing or closing joint accounts
Freezing or closing a joint credit account might prevent your spouse from accumulating a significant debt prior to the divorce becoming official. You could be held liable for the outstanding balance on a joint credit card if your spouse refuses to pay that balance off.
Keep a close eye on your credit report
Checking your credit report on a regular basis allows you to keep track of any activity that occurs on a joint account during the divorce process. It can also alert you to any accounts that were opened in your name without your permission.
Talk to your children
If you have children, it is important to let them know about the upcoming divorce. Make sure to stress that you love them and will continue to have an active role in their lives. It is also critical to assure them that they did nothing to cause the divorce to happen.
A divorce can have a significant impact on your future, which means that you should take the settlement process seriously. A family law attorney may be able to help you obtain a fair portion of joint assets while protecting your separate assets from being divided in a final settlement.
