Divorce can be a difficult thing to prepare for because in many cases, it’s the last thing you expect. You got married to your spouse with the intention of the relationship lasting “till death do you part”, and knowing that you will no longer have this future can be disheartening. Here are some ways you can prepare yourself — and your family — for a Long Island divorce case.

Accept the End of Your Marriage

If you didn’t want a divorce, you may be hesitant to accept that your marriage is actually over. You may stall or delay the divorce proceedings in hopes that you will have more time to reconcile with your spouse. Sadly, this strategy is rarely effective and can significantly hurt your case. In fact, you can count on your spouse’s attorneys to be all too accommodating if you want to drag your feet; this gives them more time to prepare and execute a successful strategy.

Give yourself the space you need to reach a point of acceptance and be able to find some peace about your upcoming divorce. Don’t hang on to wishful thinking — sticking to the facts in front of you will save you both time and money later on.

Look Out for Your Own Best Interests

Now is the time to start thinking about what is best for you as an individual instead of what is best for you and your spouse as a couple. This may initially be a hard mindset to get into, but it can help you protect your future access to housing, funding, insurance, and your children.

Understand that New York is an equitable distribution state, meaning that property and assets will be divided based on what is fair — which may or may not necessarily be equal. Your ex-spouse and their lawyer aren’t going to be advocating for what’s fair for you, they’re going to advocate for what is most beneficial for their client — your soon to be ex. It’s important to be able to stand up for your right to accept what you are owed in a divorce instead of allowing your spouse to claim as much as they can to avoid a contentious divorce.

Prepare for Losses

You will likely lose much more than your spouse, money, and some of your belongings when you get a divorce on Long Island. You’ll lose in-laws, mutual friends, and potentially some of your own family members. Prepare yourself emotionally for these additional losses and accept them as they come.

Remember that the people who care about you won’t stray away just because you’re getting a divorce. If you have friends that choose your spouse’s side over yours, know that they weren’t true friends anyway and aren’t worth your time, effort, or emotion. Grieve the loss and move forward knowing that you’re better off without untrustworthy people in your life.

Hire an Experienced, Aggressive Long Island Divorce Attorney

The most important thing you can do to prepare for a divorce is to consult with an experienced Long Island family lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will advocate for you during your divorce, even if you’re unable to advocate for yourself. Your lawyer will work with you to create a plan of action designed to create the best future for you and your loved ones; the law waits for no person and you need to make your move. A good attorney can assist you.

Your lawyer will explain to you the critical issues of your divorce, including child custody and visitation if applicable, spousal support, and property division. Not only will an attorney help you understand the basics of divorce and how the process works, but can also provide you with information and advice specific to your case — something no one else can do.

Learn the Top 12 Smart Long Island Divorce Strategies.

Contact the Experienced, Aggressive, Compassionate Long Island Divorce Attorneys at Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C. for the Help You Need Today

At Hornberger Verbitsky, P.C., we understand that the prospect of your upcoming divorce is overwhelming, hurtful, and may even make you angry or despondent. This is an emotionally tumultuous time, but we’re here to help you make sense of the process of dissolving your marriage and come out better off on the other side.

Contact us today to learn more about New York divorce laws or to book your free initial consultation by calling 631-923-1910 or fill out the short form below.