Resolutions, Divorce and the New Year

If you are making the choice to sever your marriage in 2024, here are some resolutions to add to your list.
-Line up your priorities. Start making a checklist of your New Year priorities. Is it finding a new home? Is it gaining financial independence? Maybe it’s starting or changing employment? Jot down your most important priorities, from the largest and most important to you, all the way down to the smallest things that can wait. Having these priorities in line can help you systematically cope with the difficulties of divorce.
Build A Network: Some family or friends may be more absent than you had predicted or hoped. Gather yourself tightly around those who do support you, both personally and in business, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Going through a divorce, especially with children, is tough. There is no embarrassment or shame seeking help, whether it’s emotional, mental, or other assistance to lessen your load and maintain yourself and your mental well-being.
Rebuild Your Career: If a divorce means returning to work or searching elsewhere for more pay, start to touch base with your contacts. Start looking online for any and all networking events that you can attend and participate in, whether in person or online. Ask colleagues or former colleagues to take a look at your résumé.
Get Your Paperwork In Line: 1. Copy all year-end financial statements that will soon be arriving. These include all work related (W2s, 1099s, 401(k), IRA, pension) and personal bank and investment statements.
2. Run your credit report. Nowadays you can get a free report without impacting your overall credit score.
3. Make sure you have a credit card in your own name.
4. Get copies of the past two years’ income tax returns.
5. Create a safe place to send and receive information. Start a new email account, open a PO Box, create a list of all your monthly expenses.
6. Change passwords on all social media accounts and refrain from posting anything that would upset your children or spouse.
7. Start listing parenting issues and visitation options.
8. Identify any medical or dental appointments that are needed before a potential change in your insurance coverage.
9. Remove all of your copies of the above items, along with any personal, irreplaceable items, from your home and leave them with a trusted friend or family member.
You’ve probably just managed to make this the last good holiday for the family as it was. You showed respect for each other, saved the arguments for another day, and now will try to start a new tradition for yourself this year. I am not a divorce advocate. I am an advocate for anyone going through divorce. I believe we should all live happily and it’s better to live a life that is not lonely, unhappy or harmful to you and your children.
For more information and to schedule your consultation, please call The Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., at 661-255-1800 or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com. Mr. Chroman is a Trusted Advisor Award Winner and named Top 100 California Attorney’s with over 26 years of famiy law experience and local service and a 2021, 2022 & 2023 Super Lawyer. You can purchase Mr. Chroman’s best-selling Divorce Workbook at: www.amazon.com/Preparing-Divorce–considering-separation