The Marriage Is Already Over. What Do You Do Next?
You do not need to figure out your entire divorce today. But the decisions you make next can affect your children, finances, home, and future for years.
Now You Need a Plan.
Sometimes a marriage ends emotionally long before the legal paperwork catches up.
You may still share a house. You may still have joint bank accounts. Your children may not know. Your spouse may not agree about what happens next.
You may know the marriage is finished without having any idea what you are supposed to do tomorrow morning.
That does not mean you need to immediately start a legal battle.
It means you need enough information to make the next decision intelligently.
Before You...
- Move out of the house
- Divide or empty bank accounts
- Agree to a permanent custody schedule
- Give up the house
- Give up retirement assets
- Sign an informal agreement
- File for divorce just to get something started
Take a few minutes to understand the first five things you should be thinking about.
Get My Free GuideNo 80-Page Divorce Manual. Start With What Matters Now.
This guide is designed for the person who already knows something has to change but does not know what to do first.
The First Five Steps When the Marriage Is Already Over
A practical starting point for people preparing for divorce in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.
- Know what information to gather
- Avoid common early mistakes
- Think through children and parenting
- Protect access to important information
- Prepare for your legal strategy
Get Your Free First Five Steps Guide
Click below to complete the short form and request your copy of the guide.
You do not need to know exactly when you are filing. You do not need to have every financial document collected. And requesting the guide does not commit you to filing for divorce.
Send Me the Free GuideYou will be taken to The Skeen Firm's secure Clio Grow form. Completing the form or requesting the guide does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not provide confidential or time-sensitive information.
You Don't Have to File Tomorrow. You Should Understand What Tomorrow Could Look Like.
Getting information does not commit you to divorce. It gives you options before you make decisions that may be difficult to undo.
From “It's Over” to an Actual Plan.
Once you understand the first five steps, the next question is what ending the marriage actually looks like for your family.
That can mean understanding your home, finances, children, retirement, support, business interests, debt, and the issues you and your spouse actually disagree about.
Some divorces need substantial litigation.
Others do not.
The point is to identify the real problems before spending time, money, and emotional energy fighting about things that do not need to become battles.
Book a Discovery CallA Good First Conversation Should Help You Understand:
- What the divorce process may look like
- What issues actually need to be resolved
- What information you should gather
- Which decisions may need to wait
- Whether settlement may be realistic
- What your next legal step could be
When You Know the Marriage Is Over
Should I talk to a divorce lawyer before telling my spouse?
That depends on the circumstances. An early legal consultation can help you understand financial, parenting, property, and procedural issues before making major decisions. Situations involving safety or other urgent concerns may require a different approach.
Should I move out before filing for divorce?
There is no universal answer. Moving can affect practical issues involving children, housing, expenses, property, and the family's temporary arrangements. Consider getting legal advice about your specific circumstances before making a major move.
What should I gather before talking to a divorce attorney?
Helpful information may include basic information about income, bank accounts, retirement accounts, debts, real estate, insurance, taxes, businesses, and the children's current schedule. You do not need a perfectly organized file before having an initial conversation.
What if my spouse and I both know the marriage is over?
Agreement about ending the marriage may allow the parties to focus on resolving the legal and financial issues rather than fighting over whether the marriage should end. The appropriate process still depends on the issues involved and applicable state law.
Do I have to file for divorce after requesting the guide?
No. The guide is informational. Requesting it does not require you to file for divorce or hire The Skeen Firm.
Does The Skeen Firm handle divorce cases in PA, WV, and Ohio?
The Skeen Firm provides family-law services in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, subject to the circumstances of the particular matter and applicable jurisdictional requirements.
The Marriage May Be Over.
Your Future Isn't.
Protect what matters. Understand your options. Resolve what can be resolved. Then move forward with a plan.
724-250-8841
Everyday Legal Advice®. Helping Families Move Forward.
This page and the downloadable guide are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Divorce, custody, support, property, and related family-law issues depend upon applicable state law and individual circumstances. Completing the form, requesting or downloading the guide, or contacting The Skeen Firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Do not submit confidential or time-sensitive information unless and until an attorney-client relationship has been established.