When one spouse files for divorce, the other has to respond. Is there any kind of serious advantage to filing for divorce first? Not really, but being prepared and having everything required to file can be a benefit in and of itself. Our Dallas County divorce lawyers can help you with the divorce process whether you or your spouse initiates it.

What Happens If My Spouse Files For Divorce First?

When your spouse files for divorce first, this means that they have all of their paperwork together. They have met with an attorney and they may have met with other professionals, like a financial planner, as well. Because they filed for divorce first, you have to respond to their framing and the facts that they have presented to the court.

This can seem like it puts you at a major disadvantage, but this really isn’t that bad. You still have a good amount of time to prepare your response and ready yourself for negotiations. This just puts you in a situation where you really cannot waste anytime. As soon as you get served with divorce papers, you need to be ready to act.

What Should I Prepare If I Want to File For Divorce First?

If you want to file for divorce first, there’s a lot of paperwork to prepare. We recommend having documents like these ready to go:

  • At least two years of income tax returns
  • W-2s for the last two years
  • Bank account statements for the last 12 months
  • Retirement account statements for both you and your spouse
  • Property deeds
  • Titles to vehicles
  • Vehicle registrations
  • Wills or trust documents
  • Current credit reports
  • Credit card bills
  • Any other documents that show debts and liabilities

Disentangling the finances of two people can take some work. The more you prepare, the easier this process can be.

When Should I Meet With an Attorney?

We recommend meeting with an attorney as soon as you receive those divorce papers or as soon as you have made plans to file for divorce first. Maybe you’re on good terms with your soon-to-be ex and maybe you think that you guys can just work things out without spending money on lawyers, but we just do not recommend that. Divorces can be messy and there’s a lot that needs to be figured out. A lawyer from our firm can help you, even if you want to avoid court and the expenses of litigation. You should at least meet with our attorneys and learn more about what they can do.

Meet With Our Legal Team

When you are ready to file for divorce, contact Iowa Defenders, PLLC. We can schedule a consultation and tell you more about your options and how this process will work. Don’t try and negotiate a favorable agreement all by yourself. Let us advocate for you and fight for your interests.