If you are convinced that there is no way to fix your broken marriage, you are considering getting a divorce. Before taking this final step, however, there are six pertinent steps you should take in order to protect yourself in a court of law.

1. Consult an Attorney

You need to know your legal rights and responsibilities, and the best and only way to do this is to consult an attorney, such as Wright & Wayment, PLLC, that is well versed in divorce law or family law. If you make any moves without speaking with a lawyer, you could damage your chances of finalizing the divorce in a way that would please you.

2. Keep Track of Documents

There are going to be a ton of documents that you and your spouse likely only have one copy of, such as tax returns, bank statements, and insurance policies. In order to ensure that you have this paperwork, go through the house at a time when your spouse is not home and copy every document for yourself. Additionally, make sure to copy any finances that are on your home computer or your spouse's laptop.

3. Document House Possessions

You will want to keep track of all shared possessions. The best way to make sure these are not disputed is by taking a plethora of pictures. Take pictures of everything from every different angle you can.

4. Create Your Own Bank Account

Many married couples share all of their finances, however, when going through a divorce you will want to make sure that you have readily available cash at your disposal. Create your own bank account so that you can track what money you have and where it is going, in case a lawyer wants to see it at a later date. 

5. Maintain Normalcy

If you have kids, this is especially important. Maintain a routine. Even if you do not have kids, maintaining a routine is the best way to help yourself from falling into depressive cycles. Do not, under any circumstances, discuss the divorce with your children or speak badly about your ex in front of your children. 

6. Post Divorce Budgeting

You have lived and worked with another individual for such a long time that you will need to re-teach yourself how to budget on your own. Using the copied paperwork you have gathered should help with the process. Always maintain a small amount of emergency cash at your disposal.