End the Pain and Drain of Divorce
Divorce Planning Lawyers

Serving clients in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Richardson, Carrollton, Highland Park, University Park, Garland and all of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, Hunt and Tarrant counties.

If you think a divorce is an inevitable part of your future, you can avoid many potential problems by consulting a divorce planning attorney sooner rather than later.

At The Barbknecht Firm, P.C., we have counseled many clients during the weeks, months and even years leading up to a divorce. Obviously, the more time you have to prepare, the more legal and legitimate steps you can take to protect significant assets such as a business. Planning for your divorce can help assure less disruption in your life, your finances, and your emotions.

Here are some steps you should take in the weeks and months leading up to the filing of a divorce complaint:

Open a Separate Bank Account That Only You Have Access to
Moving money to a separate account doesn't make it separate property. If the money was community property, it still will be community property after you move it into a separate account. Having a separate account simply assures that you will have access to money to keep yourself fed, clothed, sheltered and also pay legal fees during your divorce.

You should be aware that it is fraud under Texas community property laws to close a joint account prior to a divorce. However, it is not fraudulent to establish your own bank account to provide separate access to money.

Start Planning Where You Will Live
You should get a divorce lawyer's advice before moving out of your house. If you have children, you should also start planning where they will go to school after you and your spouse are separated. Plan to assure easy access to children for both parents at all times.

Start Planning How to Support Two Households
Many people of middle and even upper-middle class means find themselves stretched financially as a result of divorce. Plan to start saving because you will need your money to support two households instead of one. You will need to maintain the ongoing obligations of your family. Property taxes will have to get paid, as well as house mortgages and car loans.

Alimony (called separate maintenance in Texas) may be awarded while the divorce action is pending. However, once the divorce is final it is unlikely to continue.

End the Pain and Drain of Divorce.
Call The Barbknecht Firm, P.C. for a free initial consultation.