Even if you’re sure that you’ve come to the end of the road in your marriage, and you’re ready to take immediate action, it’s important to take things slowly. Acting irrationally without foresight can not only be a painful mistake, but also an expensive one.

In order to ensure that you feel confident about your position, whether it was your choice to get divorced or not, it’s important to make sure you know what to avoid. If you’re about to get divorced, take a look at these do’s and don’ts first.

Don’t Rule Out Therapy

Even though one or both of you may feel wholeheartedly confident about calling it quits, you should consider talking to a professional together.

If you have the slightest fond memory of your partner when you first got married, then there is hope. Sometimes a marriage counselor can help you sift through the emotional much of the present and get back to the good place where you began.  

If the love is genuinely absent, then a professional marriage counselor can minimally help you navigate the divorce cordially. You both may be feeling angry or impatient with each other. A counselor can help you stay on good terms to make the process go much smoother. If you have children, it’s especially beneficial to remain on good terms. 

Do Consult With a Lawyer

Even if you’re convinced that you’re capable of a simple divorce that doesn’t result in a drawn-out legal battle, you should still consult with a lawyer. They will be able to give you as much information as possible concerning what your rights are and what actions will result in your best interest. 

Many people fail to take this crucial step and wind up getting the raw end of the deal even in peaceful divorces! The laws of divorce are complex; it’s essential to understand them.

Don’t Move Out Of Your House Right Away

Even though you may be ready to move on and start over, you should never leave the house without good reason. Leaving prematurely could result in losing your assets and custody of your children.

Stay in the house until you’ve spoken with a lawyer about what moves you should make next. 

Do Protect Your Assets

As long as you’re married, your assets are shared. Your spouse can conceivably withdraw all of your money and keep it for themselves and get away with it.

Don’t leave things to chance.  Makes sure that you protect yourself by blocking your spouse’s access and creating an individual account of your own. 

Do Talk To Your Children 

Before you’ve signed anything, you should have a talk with your children about what they can expect moving forward.  

Don’t dance around the subject. Use clear language which is appropriate for their age. You’ll do far more damage keeping your kids in the dark and shocking them later.