Divorce is an emotionally challenging and life-altering process. It marks the end of a chapter and paves the way for a new beginning. However, amidst the emotional turmoil, it is crucial to understand the practical steps involved in filing for divorce.

Whether someone is considering taking this monumental step or has already made the decision, having a clear roadmap can provide the guidance needed to navigate the complexities of the legal system. Below is a list of the essential steps to take when filing for divorce:

When starting the journey of divorce, it may seem like reaching the other side will never happen. While every divorce is unique and has its own twists and turns, one thing many divorces have in common is that they can be complicated—from the child custody arrangement to the property division, no divorce is exactly clear cut and resolvable without preparation and effort.

The parties involved in a divorce likely look forward to reaching the end and moving on to start a new path in their lives. Due to all the anticipation of getting the divorce over with, many do not know much about the divorce decree, which is the last step in the legal divorce process. Due to this, we put together some questions and answers below related to this final and important step:

Ending a marriage may sound like a clear-cut decision to make, and it very well might be, but one who makes this decision needs to be prepared for what is to come next. What assets does one expect to keep after the divorce is final? If children are involved, how will custody be handled? Does the couple own a business? If so, who will retain the business and how will it be operated? Being prepared for these situations can help one feel more confident during the important discussions.

Due to the many items a couple will have to tackle in order to complete a divorce, thinking through all of the items beforehand is ever important. When someone approaches a divorce, the last thing they need is to be overwhelmed and confused by what they want or what might occur. To help someone in this situation be prepared, below is a list of topics to consider before the divorce process begins:

What percent of marriages will end in divorce in 2023? In the United States, between 35%-50% of first-time marriages end in divorce, increasing to approximately 60% for second marriages and 70+% for marriages after the second, according to World Population Review. With these statistics in mind, it makes many of us wonder why marriage is still sought after in the first place. However, when a couple falls in love, their hearts may lead them onto a path that they never imagined they would go.

There are many factors that can cause a marriage to lead to divorce, some being intimacy, finances, communication, change in family dynamics, and changes to one’s lifestyle. No one stays the same forever—daily interactions and events may cause one to change—and this change or multiple changes may cause a relationship to suffer if it cannot adapt.

A lot of headaches and stress can occur during a divorce when two spouses are navigating through items associated with their children. This is because children are of the utmost importance, and their wants and needs should be at the forefront of the decisions to ensure that they have the best care and situation possible.

One item that may be brought up in relation to divorce and children is child support. Typically, the parent with the majority of custody time, as defined by overnight custody, will receive child support from the other parent. The child support order should outline all the expected situations regarding support, a significant one being uninsured medical expenses. Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding that topic:

There will be many adjustments in one’s life after a divorce is finalized—from getting used to being single, to the situation of being a co-parent, to transitioning from two salaries to one. While all the emotional and situational adjustments are difficult, the financial adjustments can be one of the more stressful obstacles.

It is normal to feel overwhelmed during this period of transition, but rest assured, once a routine is established, these everyday situations and financial adjustments will become easier. To help one adjust more easily to their financial changes after divorce, below are a few tips and considerations for them to keep in mind: