You cannot enter a divorce expecting to just get the financial outcomes you want and need. You have to work for them.
Thinking about your finances in three distinct points in time can help.
The past
Do you know how much it costs to run the house? How much you pay in dental insurance each year or how much you have spent on extras for school this year? If not, then start making a spreadsheet to total up all your expenditure. This can help you get an idea of what you will need in the future.
The present
You will face some extra costs while going through the divorce. For example, court fees, legal fees and extra accommodation if one of you moves out straight away.
You need to ensure you have access to enough money to cover all this. You do not want to risk problems if your spouse tries to lock you out of the bank accounts.
The future
Will you be able to earn enough to support your future needs? Or might you need additional help to reach this point? In some cases, you may be eligible to ask for an amount to see you through a few years of training to further your employment prospects.
If you have kids, you may need to pay or seek child support to cover all their costs or reach an agreement about how you will pay their college fees.
You cannot enter divorce negotiations without knowing these three sets of figures. Getting help to understand them allows you to set out your divorce goals and justify your demands.
