Preparing to divorce your spouse during a pandemic is incredibly stressful. However, if you cannot wait for the pandemic to subside due to the strain on your emotional or physical health, you can still complete the process now. However, as you go through the divorce process with the help of a family law firm such as Cordell and Cordell, you need to understand the following special circumstances.
Longer Processing Times
Divorce is never a straightforward process, but it’s particularly complex when everyone works at home most of the time. Understand that lawyers may take longer to get back to you, particularly if their family members have COVID-19. Additionally, they may only be able to access materials in their office a few times a week. Have patience and know that no one is delaying the process on purpose.
Restricted Meeting Formats
If you are divorcing in any way other than pro se, in which you and your spouse reach agreements on your joint property and complete all the forms on your own, you need to have meetings with your lawyer. Your lawyer must meet with your spouse’s lawyer, and they may need to consult other specialists and a judge. Most of these meetings cannot take place in person due to social-distancing restrictions. As a result, lawyers such as the Cordell & Cordell professionals will meet with you over online videoconferencing software such as Zoom. Know that they will do their best to keep your meeting confidential but be wary of discussing confidential information in meetings that are not password protected.
Increased Moving Challenges
Moving out of your house is a complicated process, especially now, as real estate agents scramble to implement social distancing guidelines while helping you find a new home. Unless you must immediately move away from your spouse because of domestic violence or emotional abuse, consider delaying your departure until restrictions ease. Otherwise, be prepared to look at virtual tours of prospective houses online. Carefully monitor mortgage rates and housing prices, as these tend to fluctuate during times of crisis.
If you are divorcing your spouse during the novel coronavirus pandemic, you probably are so stressed out that you are not sure what to do next. As you work on maintaining you and your children’s mental and physical health, keep in mind these ways that the pandemic has altered the divorce process. After accepting the changes and delays, refocus your energy to addressing issues that you can control.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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