Before the Divorce

Maybe you are contemplating divorce or perhaps you or your spouse have already announced that divorce is imminent. Either way, it is time to assess resources and seek professional guidance so you can start evaluating solutions to this problem.

You are not alone in this process. Darlys provides the following services to help you review your current situation and prepare for the beginning of the divorce process.

Services

• Explore, clarify and prioritize your financial goals (short and long term)
• Compile, organize, inventory and examine financial information to prepare assets and liabilities (net worth statement)
• Review income and business tax returns
• Identify gaps in information
• Prepare a historical lifestyle analysis which includes current budget and marital standard of living by establishing spending patterns through reviewing personal business checkbook registers, bank statements, credit card statements, brokerage statements, trust and partnership account statements and charitable giving
• Estimate immediate cash needs for living expenses
• Generate estimates of annual income (very important for self-employed spouses)
• Compile an inventory of personal property
• Review information for pension plans, 401(k) plans, IRA accounts, stock option plans, employee benefits, salary deferred compensation plans, and insurance policies
• Identify complex compensation issues
• Estimate career training costs and the timing of those costs
• Estimate children’s education and college costs
• Educate on tax implications of splitting or selling various assets, including investments, pension plans, and house
• Assist in developing post-divorce budget options and retirement needs

Benefits

• You take control of the divorce process.
• Early planning which helps to maximize your settlement options.
• You identify the assets before the divorce process begins and reduce the chance the assets will be missed.
• You have clear and objective information with which to make informed, confident decisions.
• You gain a clearer understanding of your current and future financial picture.
• Your stress level is reduced as you know your options and can devote your time and energy to the negotiation process.