IN Hampton Fall 2017 | Page 11

INDUSTRY INSIGHT DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW SPONSORED CONTENT Don’t Be a DIVORCE CASUALTY! W e have represented innumerable men and women going through a divorce, and it is clear that many mistakes are made before we are retained. In an effort to help, our team has compiled a “greatest hits” list when contemplating a divorce. • • • • • • • DO: • • Hire the best and most experienced lawyer you can! You don’t want to suffer the consequences when your spouse has hired a top lawyer and you have not. Inventory your personal property at the outset. Videotape your possessions if you can. Copy financial documents such as bank and investment statements, loan documents, credit card statements and life insurance policies. Consider preparing a spreadsheet of your assets and liabilities before your first meeting with a lawyer. Confirm that your taxes have been paid. Copy at least the last three years’ full returns and back up documents such as W-2s, 1099s and K-1s. If you have not already, apply for credit cards in your individual name and use them for small purchases to establish your own credit. Try to save money for future living expenses and unexpected costs. Understand that each divorce case is unique. You should not compare your divorce case to someone else’s. Identify all of your spouse’s sources of income. Examine paystubs, tax records and sources of deposits into your joint accounts. Make an exit plan. Prepare a budget to understand your cash needs. Consider opening a PO Box if you remain under the same roof with your spouse so you can receive private correspondence from your lawyer. DON’T: • • • • • • • • • Hide money or continue funding your joint account after you separate. Think of your lawyer as your therapist. Surround yourself with a support team and a good therapist if needed. Mistreat your spouse in front of the children. Forget to take care of yourself. Don’t put off medical or dental needs. Sweat the small stuff. Pick your battles and focus on what is important. Disparage the other parent in front of your children. This will only damage your child. Do anything out of malice. Keep an even keel. Build additional unnecessary debt. Put off calling us. We will provide you with exceptional advice and service. Your Team: (Front) Shannon Sacca, Esq., Reid Roberts, Esq. (Chair), Chrystal Tinstman, Esq., Max Levine, Esq. (Back) Stephanie Kundly, Angela Waxler, Theresa Greco, Tealizalynn Doyle, Rachel Marcyjanik, Stevie McCorkle, Jwan Allen (not pictured) Hampton | Fall 2017 | icmags.com 9