Importance of Proactively Building a Strategic Divorce Team

Divorce is one of the most consequential transactions and transitions an individual might face during the course of a lifetime. A New Jersey marriage dissolution can change and even upend a person’s life in a variety of ways:

• Legally
• Financially
• Emotionally
• Practically

An unusual reality associated with a divorce is that while most people prepare extensively for life’s other major changes, they rather regularly enter a marriage dissolution process without the same level of strategic foresight. With this in mind, we examine the importance of proactively building a strategic divorce team. 

The reality is that creating a divorce strategic team can make a profound difference in a number of ways:

• Difference between clarity and confusion
• Difference between protecting your long-term future and being caught off-guard by challenges you never anticipated
• Better ensuring strength at every step of the New Jersey divorce process

New Jersey Divorce is a Complex Legal Process 

Of course, on some level it goes without saying that divorce is first and foremost a legal proceeding. However, many people ignore the complexity of this legal proceeding. The bottom line is that even what are thought to be amicable divorces can quickly become complicated when issues of custody, support, and property division arise. Therefore, retaining a dedicated, experienced family-law lawyer at the start of the process is a key element of creating a strategic team for your divorce. 

Divorce Is Also Financial Reorganization

Another stark reality about a New Jersey divorce is the fact that other life events change a person’s financial landscape more than the end of a marriage. For example, assets must be identified, valued, and divided. The same holds true for marital debt. Additionally, support obligation calculations may be necessary. Tax considerations can impact many decisions in a divorce. Other issues may include addressing the marital home, investments, business interests, retirement accounts, and so forth.

When considering creating a strategic divorce team, financial professionals of different types may need to be called upon. Crafting this component of your team early on protects against costly mistakes that can prove difficult (if not impossible) to correct.

Your Emotional Well-Being is a Core Strategic Asset

Courtroom decisions are based on facts and law. Moreover, the choices you make throughout the process heavily are influenced by your emotional state. This includes decisions about matters and issues that include:

• How you negotiate
• How you communicate
• What you prioritize

Keep well in mind that your emotional state can directly impact your decision-making process. Commonplace emotions that need to be identified and addressed include:

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Grief
• Anger
• Shame

You may be able to address emotional issues on your own. However, you most definitely are not alone if you need to consider seeking the professional support and assistance of a therapist, counselor, or even a divorce coach as part of your strategic divorce team.

Documentation, Organization, and Information Flow Are Critical

A successful divorce strategy relies on timely, accurate information on a consistent basis. In fact, the court demands it. Financial documents, communications, calendars, property inventories, and records of parenting responsibilities all play crucial roles in this component of divorce proceedings.

The reality is that most people entering into the divorce process do not fully appreciate the extent of documentation and related materials involved in and needed for a New Jersey marriage dissolution case. Proper documentation can impact a divorce proceeding in a number of different ways that include:

• Strengthening your case
• Speeding up negotiations
• Minimizing attorney time
• Preventing disputes caused by missing or unclear records

Having someone assist with the process of organizing paperwork and documentation associated with your divorce case can prove crucial. For example, a legal assistant or paralegal at your attorney’s law firm may be able to provide guidance and support in this area. 

Proactive Team-Building Protects Your Future

Finally, the decisions made during divorce last long after the marriage dissolution decree is signed. For example, support payments influence budgets and your life more broadly for years. Parenting plans shape childhoods and co-parenting relationships well into the future. Asset division affects everything from retirement to housing to financial security. With the right strategic divorce team in place, you are far better positioned to protect your interests, your children, and your future. If you are looking to file a divorce, call (201) 845-7400 for a free consultation.