When Divorce Feels Overwhelming: Five Crucial Tips to Help You Prepare

If you’re facing the reality of divorce and feeling hopeless, know this—you are not alone. It’s natural to feel lost when your life is about to change in such a significant way. But even in the toughest moments, taking small, practical steps can help you regain a sense of control and begin building a more stable future. As family law attorneys, we’ve walked alongside many clients in this situation, and we want to share five crucial tips to help you prepare for divorce.

1. Get Organized Early

One of the most empowering things you can do is gather your important financial documents. This includes tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement account records, and property deeds. Too many times, I have had clients come in for an initial consult and not know anything about their financial situation. It may be that they don’t handle the household bills, or their spouse doesn’t give them access to financial information. If this is the case, then there are things we can do once a divorce is filed to gather those documents. But if you do have access to this information, go ahead and gather it up and bring it into a consult because having this information ready will save you time, lower stress, and help your attorney advocate for you effectively.

2. Prioritize Your Emotional Well-being

Divorce is as much an emotional journey as it is a legal one. Lawyers are well versed in the law and while they can sympathize with you during your divorce, they likely don’t have the training to help you effectively process the feelings you may encounter. Therefore, it is best to find someone who has training in dealing with emotions and that you can trust—a therapist, counselor, or support group—who can help you process your feelings. Taking care of your mental health will give you the clarity and strength you need to make important decisions.

3. Know and Understand Your Rights

Helping you understand your rights is where a good family lawyer will shine. While facing a divorce It’s easy to feel powerless when you don’t know what lies ahead. I would Schedule a consultation with a family law attorney to learn about your rights and what to expect in your case. Knowledge truly is power, and it can replace fear with focus and give you confidence about what the future holds.

4. Think About Your Children’s Needs

If you have children, their well-being during and after a divorce is of utmost importance. Remember: stability and routine can be comforting to children during this time. Begin considering what kind of custody and visitation arrangement, both during and after the divorce, will serve their best interests. Think about how you would like to co-parent with your soon to be ex-spouse. Will your co-parenting be amicable or do you think it may be contentious? Decide if counseling would be appropriate for your children.

5. Take One Step At A Time

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. Try to focus on one task at a time, no matter how small. A divorce won’t happen overnight and may take several months to become final. It is a process but if done right each step you take is progress toward a new beginning.

We Are Here To Help

Divorce is not just an emotional decision—it’s a financial one. Having the right legal guidance ensures you’re not left with unfair debts or obligations.

If you’re going through a divorce and are unsure about your financial responsibilities, we invite you to speak with our legal team. Setzer Law Firm PLLC offers straightforward advice and strategic representation for clients across Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Euless, Roanoke, and surrounding communities.

Contact us today to protect your future and gain clarity during a challenging time.

Contact Us:

At Setzer Law Firm PLLC, we invite you to contact us today. We’ll discuss your situation confidentially and help you understand your next steps with clarity and confidence.

Setzer Law Firm PLLC is a Colleyville-based family law firm serving Tarrant and Denton counties. With over 25 years of experience, we handle divorce, custody, property division, alimony, paternity, grandparents’ rights, LGBTQ+ family law, and more.