Close

May 2019 - How to Prepare for the Financial Impact of Divorce

Divorce can be emotionally draining and impact your life in ways you never imagined. Although the greatest effect is to the family, a divorce can be financially damaging as well. If you and your spouse have made the decision that divorce is your best option, your finances could be affected, as divorce is commonly cited as the leading cause for bankruptcy filing.

A prenuptial agreement can offer financial protection to both spouses in the event of a divorce but if you were married without one, your next best line of defense is knowledge. While it's important to act as partners while married, particularly when it comes to your finances, it's also important for each spouse to educate themselves about finances in the event of a divorce. Spouses should be aware of their investments, debts, family income and any other assets, including how they're titled.

Before going to an arbitrator, mediator, or attorney, you should do your homework. List your marital assets and get appraisals where necessary (art, antiques, etc.). You will want to have a handle on the values of the assets you own. You should also make a list of all of your financial obligations and needs.

If bankruptcy is added on top of a divorce proceeding, life can become even more stressful. Divorce ranks high on the list of reasons individuals file for bankruptcy and with good reason. The distribution of property in a divorce involves more than the family home; it can involve joint investments and any assets considered marital property. This can have a significant impact on each spouse’s financial picture. What’s more, you can find yourself responsible for part of your ex’s debt if the two of you held joint credit accounts or if you co-signed a loan agreement during your marriage.

Divorce can be financially devastating to one or both parties, but it is possible to get through it with your finances intact. Educating yourself and doing your homework can help prepare you to work with your attorney and reduce the financial impact on you and your children.



Practice Areas
What Our Clients are Saying
★★★★★

I was very proud to be represented by Tony and felt secure at a time I needed a compass to head out of a difficult bind. Confidence in your counsel and a sense of security in understanding how best to proceed are important reasons to consider Anthony Kearns and his team of outstanding lawyers.

- Lynn
★★★★★

Tony was excellent! He was knowledgeable, responsive and on-time. His experience as a County Prosecutor definitely helped our case as he knows how the legal system works and how to navigate. I highly recommend Tony and his office.

- Matt
★★★★★

Thankfully I found Kearns Rotolo Law and I had a wonderful experience working with Charles Rifici on a difficult divorce/child custody issue. I am so grateful for all the work and guidance he provided. He always took his time and diligently went through all my options with me so I could make the decisions that benefitted my family and I. I will be forever thankful for the top notch services he provided.

- Cinthya
★★★★★

In March of 2022 I contacted Kearns Rotolo Law Firm with an urgent problem, Mr. Kearns and Mr. Rotolo contacted me immediately to give me hope as to rectify my problem. The end result was Mr Kearns was able to solve my issue through extreme professionalism, I am very grateful I found Kearns Rotolo Law firm and I would recommend their law firm to anyone that has a less extreme problem or a more complex problem, I am very grateful for their services.

- Bill
★★★★★

I met with Mr. Kearns yesterday about a devastating situation affecting our family. Mr. Kearns and his entire staff made us feel extremely comfortable and showed our family a compassionate side that gave us comfort in the most uncomfortable of situations. Thank you very much. God Bless.

- Christian
Contact Us