Divorce Planning is when a spouse plans for divorce months and in some cases years in advance. This spouse will usually talk to a lawyer and get instructions on how to minimize earnings for a significant period of time prior to filing for divorce to avoid or at least reduce child support and alimony obligations. The goal is also to reduce assets and increase debts to keep distribution of assets at a low level while dividing the maximum amount of debt. The divorce court looks at the standard of living of the parties during the last three to five years before the filing for divorce. Therefore, a spouse who wants to get divorced may intentionally manipulate the family finances to benefit that spouse when the divorce occurs.