Can you believe that we’re already more than a month into 2021?

It feels like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year and thinking about the possibilities the fresh start would bring, and now we’re already closer to the first day of spring than the first day of winter.

Whether you’re currently considering divorce or you’re ready to get the process started, the new year represents an opportunity to start a new chapter in your life that’s more closely aligned with your values and the direction you want to take. In this post, we’ll cover a few of the most common steps you can expect during the divorce process, as well as a few considerations to make before starting the process.

As we’ll discuss in more detail below, consulting with an experienced attorney is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself, particularly during the beginning stages of your divorce. The Atlanta divorce attorneys at Fairell Roy & Associates provide dedicated representation that puts your needs first and have helped countless people just like you work toward a successful resolution — contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

First and foremost, consider your options. Divorce rates have been high since COVID-19 forced many couples into isolation together, highlighting weak points in the relationship and, in many cases, bringing tense situations to a boiling point.

If you’ve entered the new year wondering whether divorce is right for you, you may want to consider starting with a separation agreement. Alternatively, you may want to consider marriage counseling or waiting for life to return to something close to normalcy.

However, you should also consider that you know yourself better than anyone else. If the time you and your spouse spent together during the pandemic has shown you that they aren’t the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, trust your instincts and proceed with the process.

Before you make the decision to get divorced, it’s important to consider your children and how the change will affect them. Nobody should stay in an unhappy marriage simply because they have children, but it is important to think about logistical considerations and how you and your spouse would handle custody, support, and the other aspects of raising children in separate households.

Of course, the best-case scenario is that you can talk through these considerations with your spouse, but these discussions are often very emotionally charged and are best handled by a third party, such as an experienced divorce attorney.

If you’ve made up your mind and have decided that divorce is the best course of action for your family, contacting an experienced attorney is the best way to start the process, no matter how long you’ve been married. They will be able to assess your situation and provide you with everything you need to know about the next steps, including how to pursue things such as alimony and child support that can often be difficult on your own. They will also be able to advise you about red flags to watch out for, including asset concealment.

Once you’ve met with and spoken to an attorney with whom you feel comfortable, expect to take the following steps:

These are by no means the only steps you can expect once you’ve decided to divorce, but they are among the most common.

If you would like to learn more about filing for divorce this year, please contact the Fairell Roy & Associates office to schedule a consultation. We’ll take the time to get to know you and your situation as we work tirelessly toward a favorable outcome for you and your family.