1. Determine the grounds for divorce
Will need to be decided before any other arrangements can be made.
2. Decide who will keep the marital home
It will need to be decided who will keep it and how any mortgage or other debts will be paid.
3. Determine who will pay any outstanding debts
Again, this will need to be decided before any other financial arrangements can be made.
4. Decide how to divide any jointly owned property
This includes any property that is jointly owned by both parties, such as a car or a house.
5. Determine child custody arrangements
If there are children involved, it will need to be decided who will have primary custody and how visitation will be scheduled.
6. Decide if either party will pay spousal support
If one party is requesting spousal support, it will need to be decided if the other party will be required to pay it and, if so, how much.
7. Decide how to divide any retirement accounts
If either party has a retirement account, it will need to be decided how it will be divided between the two parties.
8. Draw up a divorce settlement agreement
Once all of the above decisions have been made, a divorce settlement agreement will need to be drawn up and signed by both parties.