Sometimes, the only way to end a chapter is to cut off ties and start a new beginning. You have to write a new page for your life to start moving on. Like relationships, there’s no guarantee that you’ll end up with the one you married. Perhaps, you have misunderstandings, affairs, personal problems, etc. And if divorce is the only answer, you should not hesitate to go for it if you need to free yourself. Once you decide to end your marriage, knowing how to prepare for a contested or uncontested divorce in Singapore can make the process less stressful.
How to Prepare for a Divorce
Getting a divorce is a significant life event. There will be many changes in your life, from living arrangements and financial responsibilities to child custody. Under these circumstances, you might feel overwhelmed because of the sudden emotional shift. One day you’re happy, and the other, you’re hopeless. There’s nothing wrong with being emotional because you’re only human. Your responsibility is to look after your reaction and stay clear-headed. You can do it by knowing how to prepare for a divorce with a probate lawyer in Singapore.
1) Find a Lawyer or Attorney
The law can be a complicated subject for a regular person, especially if you don’t have a background as a lawyer. For this reason, you need to hire an attorney or probate lawyer to guide you through the process. Your lawyer can help you understand the terms and the process of divorce. You’ll know the grounds for divorce in Singapore, and they can help you have a successful outcome in the future. Your lawyer can also give professional advice whenever you feel confused about your situation.
Before looking for a lawyer, keep these qualities in mind to know that your lawyer is qualified.
- Compassionate for Client Problems
- Communication Skills
- Knowledge about Law
- Fair Judgement
- Listening SKills
2) Prepare for Your Budget
Undergoing a divorce process will surely cost you money. You’ll never be sure how much it would be, but preparing your budget will help you prevent going into bankruptcy. If you have an uncontested divorce, make sure both have a financial plan. This way, you won’t add trouble to your divorce process due to money conflicts.
If you also rely on your partner financially, make sure to find a job or any source of income before divorcing. As such, you can support yourself living independently. It would also be best to consider your financial situation regarding your children. Even after undergoing a divorce, you can ensure that their needs are met, like the school enrolment.
3) Talk About Parenting Agreement
In Singapore, a divorce process can also affect your children’s well-being. That’s why you need to talk with your partner about co-parenting. Don’t be selfish. Don’t try to use your children as a weapon against your partner because of a grudge. Divorce doesn’t mean you end your responsibility as a parent. It would be best if you still looked for your children, both of you, as mother and father.
Parenting agreements may have different terms and conditions depending on your current situation and lifestyle. So, consider everything like the time of visit, money agreement, child support, etc.
4) Start Collecting Essential Documents
Your divorce will need papers like marriage documents, agreements, life insurance policies, assets, debts, tax information and the like. To make the process easier, start collecting these essential documents for a faster process. You won’t need to find the paper in the middle that can hinder the progress of your divorce.
Once you collect the papers, you can make a copy for them as an extra when you need a reference. Ask your probate lawyer in Singapore for the documents you need to have a successful divorce process.
5) Adjust to Your New Life
If you still have no children, you can adjust to your new life as a single person again. It means you can do more things outside of your relationship, like attending a short course, going abroad, or going back to your hobbies. Nonetheless, you have more time to yourself to build and create a new chapter of your life. Although the divorce process can be a stressful experience in your life, you need to bounce back from this experience and live your life as you imagined.
As you begin a new chapter, make sure to end your relationship with your ex-partner without grudges. Have a mature talk, and then you can finally say you’re ready to start a new life again.
6) Look for Emotional Support
Whether uncontested or contested divorce, you’ll experience stress because of the overwhelming changes. For this reason, you need to look for someone who can guide you throughout the process, may it be your friends, family, or a psychiatrist. Plus, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need someone to listen to your problems.
In Singapore, the divorce process may take a toll on your mental health so make sure you have a way to handle all your emotions during the difficult times.
7) Prepare Divorce Fee
Keep in mind that you still need to pay for the divorce process. You need to know how divorce in Singapore will costyou. This way, you can prepare your budget and avoid more financial problems in the future. If you agree with your partner, you can try to support each other until you process your divorce.
8) Look for a Job
If you rely on your partner financially, you should look for a job before finalising the divorce. You can support yourself even after the divorce process with an employment opportunity.
For this reason, you’ll have a smooth transition from married life to single life again. You can use the money you earn for personal growth in the future.
9) Be Mindful of Your Behaviour
A contested or uncontested divorce is a stressful experience, and it can make you lose out of control. However, it would help if you stayed in control of your behaviour when dealing with your probate lawyer and processing papers. In doing so, you can remain clear-headed and prevent your emotions from clouding your mind.
If you need help with your divorce process, you can partner with Aspect Law Chambers with a qualified probate lawyer. Visit their website to know how much divorce in Singapore will cost you.
