What Are The Steps To Follow For Separating From Your Husband?

In case you are contemplating to separate from your husband, safety should be your most important concern. If you feel that your husband is likely to abuse you either physically or verbally, it is essential that there is a proper legal and support structure in place for you.  The following are a couple of steps you can follow for separating from your husband.

Step #1: Make sure that you are safe

You should take a few practical steps such as contacting local organizations for domestic violence or help lines. You can also get in touch with your local law enforcement agency for filing a restraining order. A crucial step many people tend to take is to stay with their close family member or a friend, in case such an option is available. These women should make it a point to let their loved ones know what is going in their lives if they have not done so already. Although, it is a tough thing to do, it is really important.

Step #2: Know how divorce and separation works

If you are planning to divorce your husband, it is important to find out how divorce and separation works in the state where you are living

Ideally, separation exists in two forms, formal and informal. If you want to go for a formal separation, you need to hire a lawyer for creating a separate agreement. The agreement will dictate and distribute the responsibilities of both the partners like payment of debts, finances, childcare and housing arrangements.

It is a form of separation for which you have to bear expenses. Hence it is imperative for you to ask a family member or a friend to help you out or you can save it. Women are unhappy and their relationships may become unhealthy as finances become a strong barrier. But you should not feel despondent as human minds are structured for coming up with innovative and creative ideas. Even if you feel that you are quite smart, there are still possibilities of a breakthrough and come up with an interesting plan to access more money.

An informal separation is the second option to separate. A court may or may not be involved in this kind of a separation. The agreement can be prepared and signed by you and your spouse. But, if you have a marriage full of conflicts, this option may not be a realistic one. But things and people can be quite unpredictable and it may still be possible to arrive at a settlement even though both of you do not share the best of terms.

Getting divorced in California can be complicated.  Download our free eBook, 18 Important Things to Know About California Divorce to educate yourself on the process.  

Gerald A. Maggio is an experienced Orange County divorce and family law attorney and family law attorney located in Irvine, California, serving the Orange County and Riverside areas. Mr. Maggio assists clients with legal issues including divorce, legal separation, divorce mediation, child custody, prenuptial agreements, stepparent adoptions, and other family law issues. Mr. Maggio has practiced law in California since 1999, and founded The Maggio Law Firm in 2005, focusing exclusively on divorce and family law matters.