Are you considering divorce? I'm talking about quiet, sober consideration of a question, not the thoughts that flare up from the heated emotions that come right after an argument. Have you thought through the effects of a divorce, and come to the conclusion that you may want to act? If you have, there are things you should do right away If your husband has already filed before you, then you must act immediately. If not, you should take certain actions quickly, but not carelessly. The things you do now will affect every decision throughout the process, right down to the final decree.

If you have reached the point where divorce is a clear option, and particularly if you are considering an action that shows you mean to separate from your husband (if you are thinking of leaving, or asking him to move out), you should do the following before approaching your spouse.

Seven things you must do before approaching your husband about divorce:

This may seem like an overwhelming task, but doing it will ensure that you have all the information ready when you need it most. Once you leave, or if your husband leaves and takes these records, then you may have to ask your attorney to file a motion to force your husband to produce them. That would become just another costly hassle down the line. Avoid it. Make copies.

Why do you need all these documents? If divorce proceedings get into a courtroom it means you and your husband are in a battle. What are at stake are almost certainly income, lifestyle, and assets. You and your husband are sorting out all of these things in a courtroom, so you need to establish the cost of living and the lifestyle you and your family enjoyed while married. This becomes the baseline the court will use for a settlement. The judge will base decisions about child support and alimony on this information. You must show what your family spends on maintaining a home, food, clothing, transportation, health, education, and any other necessities. In addition you need to clearly establish what your spouse earns or is capable of earning.