August is one of the peak months for Arizona residents and others to get divorced. This was one of the main takeaways from a study conducted by researchers from the University of Washington. March, September and January are also months when divorce rates tend to increase. Those who think that their marriages are on shaky ground may want to start preparing for a divorce as soon as possible.
Ideally, an individual will take stock of assets such as the value of a bank or brokerage account. It can also be a good idea to start thinking about who would be part of the divorce team that provides support and advice during the process. Speaking with a lawyer may be a good idea even if an individual isn’t ready to end a marriage just yet.
Doing so could make it possible to learn more about divorce laws and other possible consequences of following through with a divorce. A person may also want to consider going to counseling with his or her spouse. Talking with a therapist may help to determine if there is any way to resolve the problems that have caused stress in a relationship.
Working with an attorney during a divorce proceeding may prevent emotions from allowing a person to obtain a favorable outcome. An attorney might be able to achieve a fair settlement for his or her client. This could include alimony, a larger share of marital assets or other resources needed to maintain a reasonable lifestyle. Settlements may be reached with the help of a mediator or a family law judge.