Having the right priorities from the outset will help you create a fair and realistic list of goals, so you can decide what you want out of your divorce. It’s never too early to get organized. Making a list is always a good way to keep yourself on track. The following questions will help you create a complete list of your goals, and it is this list that will help you create your divorce agreement:

• Do you want to keep the house? Even if you both believe that it will eventually need to be sold to fairly divide the assets of the marriage, consider whither one parent can hold on to the house at least during the initial phases of the separation and divorce process to minimize further disruptions to the family.
• Do you require financial assistance from your spouse? Avoid, for the time being, using the word “alimony.” That term is loaded with negative connotation, and while you may eventually be using it for the IRS and other purposes, you should both initially just be thinking about equalizing your economic situations. That may well require one spouse to assist the other financially.
• What other financial assistance do you think you’ll need?  Child support?  Help paying school tuition?  Are there major medical or dental bills anticipated for either you or the children?
• As you divide personal property, which of your household belongings do you want to keep and which are you willing to let go to your spouse?
• What type of schedule – or parenting plan – might be appropriate for the children?
• What are your financial assets?  Assess and list IRAs, stocks and retirement plans. Don’t begin to divide them yet, just get them itemized.  Download our “Income & Asset Analysis” worksheet.
• Have you found a divorce lawyer or family attorney?  If not, make the job of finding competent and zealous legal representation a top priority.  Learn which questions to ask lawyers, then download our FREE Report, “How to Hire a Domestic Relations Lawyer.”
• Watch incoming mail – and who it is coming from. Start thinking about a Pre-Filing Checklist. 

No matter where you live in Massachusetts, contact the divorce lawyers and family law attorneys from The Massachusetts Family Law Group.  We represent every sort of divorce matter you could ever imagine at our offices in Dedham, Andover, Worcester, Springfield, Plymouth and on Cape Cod.

From here, you may want to view the chronology of a divorce action in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court.

We accept all major credit cards and offer a 30-minute no-obligation initial consultation.  Contact us to schedule an appointment, or call (800) 910-DIVORCE.