“New normal” — a phrase we keep hearing in our everyday lives. Though the initial shock has worn off, the ripples of Covid-19 are still being felt — in our daily routines, our families and in some cases, our marriages. We have been (largely) secluded with our immediate families, some for well over 90 days now. We have been forced to eliminate or drastically reduce outside distractions, albeit good or bad, leaving us to mostly focus on the relationships within finger’s reach. For some, this chapter may have been a tipping point — the beginning of the realization that you wish to terminate your marriage.
Here are the first steps CCHA recommends taking, if you’ve contemplated ending a marriage during the Coronavirus pandemic:
Consult with a trusted, qualified family law attorney
This may seem like a huge leap, but receiving initial advice and guidance from a professional will help you create a clear path for next steps. Finding an attorney who is accessible, experienced and flexible will be key during this late-COVID phase of life. Is your attorney as flexible in communication as you need them to be — in other words, are they able to communicate when and how you’re able to?
Maintain separation and privacy
If you are indeed early in divorce considerations, it’s important to maintain private communication with your attorney. This means ensuring your spouse does not have access to the communication channels you utilize — email, voice mail, or otherwise. Change passwords where possible. Deactivate any password storing capabilities on shared devices. Unlink accounts, including shared family cloud accounts, that grant your spouse third-party access to any external communication you may not want them access to.
Optimize + utilize time at home
Make the best of being at home, by using the time to get organized. Make copies of important paperwork and documents. Organize important data, like account logins and passwords, especially on shared assets (banking information, etc.). Begin downloading and storing relevant online statements. And above all else, begin documenting significant, valuable assets, by taking images of them (even digital) and storing them digitally.
Remember that planning for a divorce does not mean you must move forward with one — at all, if not right away. Consider too, options like mediation, or marital counseling. You have options and CCHA is here to help you understand and navigate them.
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