My Spouse Walked Out. Now What?

After the all the fights and the late night disagreements, it has finally happened. Your spouse has packed up and left. This can be a tumultuous and uncertain time, and you probably feel emotionally overwhelmed. If divorce is looming on the horizon, it is important that you take certain steps to help protect yourself and your future in the upcoming divorce case.

First and foremost is to start contacting divorce lawyers. Having a divorce attorney on your side is crucial to making sure that the end result of your divorce helps build your future—not destroy it. Your lawyer can help guide you through the process and keep you grounded, even though your feelings are hurt and you may be tempted to make poor decisions about any potential settlement agreement. Hire an attorney as soon as you can and start building a plan for your future.

You will also want to take careful stock of the current state of your finances. If you have a joint bank account with your spouse, you need to check it as soon as you can to see whether your spouse has taken all of your shared resources. Opening your own account and having your paycheck start to be deposited in the account bearing only your name will help you to start amassing independent resources. Note that these resources may still be subject to division in the final divorce, but at least you will be certain to have access to money for bills and expenses when you need it.

Reviewing your debts early on is very important. If you hold joint credit cards with your spouse, the two of you will need to discuss who pays for each joint bill. Run a credit check on yourself to ensure you know all the debts and accounts that may be associated with your name. Create a plan for resolving debts once you have them confirmed.

If you have children, this may be the time to consider family counseling. Divorce is difficult on children, too, and having a mental health professional to help you and your children process your feelings can help smooth the path to restoring normalcy. It can also help the children maintain a positive relationship with your spouse, which should be a central goal for any parent.

If your spouse has walked out, you need an experienced attorney to help you take the necessary next steps. Contact us today at 619-800-0384 to discuss your divorce and what we can do to help you advance your goals