Helpful Information - Separation and Divorce Tips

Cancel credit cards and terminate joint bank accounts, preserving marital property.  Temporarily suspend payments to IRA’s and 401K’s etc but do not cancel or suspend any insurance coverage of either your spouse or your children.

Gather financial records, including tax returns, notes, deeds, title-certificates, and other legal papers and deliver them to your attorney so that the attorney may properly utilize discovery procedures.  Family hospitalization and therapy treatment records may also become important.

Do not involve yourself in domestic disputes. Do not touch, push, hit, or threaten your partner. If you cannot control your temper, take time-outs and stay away from him or her.

Cease any alcohol or non-prescription drug use.

Obtain a restraining order from the County Court if you are in fear of physical violence. 

If you have children, insulate them from the marital conflict. Do not disparage the other party in front of a child.

Advise your support group and family. Be prepared to move to another residence if necessary.

Do not move out of the marital residence unless legally or physically forced to do so. Take your most valuable possessions with you when you leave.

Obtain and keep receipts for all support paid towards the children. Checks and money orders, only, no cash payments without signed receipts.

Attempt to be civil and do not escalate the issues in your divorce action.

Keep a diary of events.