State-by-State Divorce Rules and How Much You'll Pay or Receive in Support

Financially Planning for a Divorce

Name: Financially Planning for a Divorce
Item: Financially Planning for a Divorce
Author: Nathan Paulus

Financially planning for a divorce involves preparing for the costs during and after the process, including determining alimony payments.

By Nathan Paulus

Updated: November 4, 2024

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Going through divorce is hard. The relationship with the person who pulled you head-over-heels in love has probably disintegrated into a maelstrom of bitterness and anger. Now that you've made the decision to go your separate ways, you might feel as though you're embarking on the road to recovery. But getting through the divorce comes first. The process is as much about your financial health as it is about your emotional state because divorce greatly affects your financial security. Divorce is a financial disruptor that requires planning and usually hiring an attorney.

Divorce often affects finances in these areas:

Assets
Child care and custody (if children are involved)
Debt obligations
Housing
Income (decrease resulting from taking on child care duties or from elimination of spouse's income)
Income taxes (change from married filing jointly to single filing status)
Insurance
Legal expenses (attorneys' fees, mediation, court costs)
Retirement or Nest Egg
Spousal support (also called alimony)
Transportation (perhaps from traveling more frequently or longer distances to visit children)

This guide breaks down what to expect in your divorce. It gives pointers to understanding divorce laws in your state and highlights mistakes to avoid as you wade through the process of reshaping your life after the Big D.

How a Divorce Works: A Timeline

In a sense, divorce is the final showdown between you and your soon-to-be ex. You don't get to walk away until certain matters are settled. The traditional divorce process, sometimes called litigation, is often highly contentious, during which you pull at each other to get what they want. Fortunately, there's an alternative, which is called collaborative or mediated divorce. Let's look at the timeline for both.

Adversarial Divorce Timeline

From start to finish, an adversarial divorce — conducted through court proceedings — can take years to play out. Some states, such as California, require a minimum of six months before allowing a judge to terminate a marriage.

State laws vary but here's generally what happens when you initiate an adversarial divorce:

Action	Description
File Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Petition for Divorce or Complaint for Divorce	Filing with court formally begins the divorce process. The petition states the reasons for the divorce and how you want to settle financial, custody and other issues
Serve the Petition and Summons	Your attorney or court serves the petition and summons to your spouse. The summons calls for your spouse's response to the petition.
Answer the petition	Your spouse answers your petition. Usually receives about three weeks to answer. The answer details how your spouse wants to settle financial, custody and other relevant issues.
Attend temporary hearing	Judge holds a hearing to set up temporary orders for spousal support, restraining orders, child support, child custody and visitation rights.
Participate in mediation	Judge may order mediation (some states require mediation). Often entails several hours with a court-approved mediator who attempts to get you and your spouse to agree on issues, such as custody and visitation terms.
Conduct discovery	Your attorney and spouse's attorney exchange formal requests for documents and information about all unsettled issues, especially finances. This may involve numerous interrogatories and depositions. The receiving spouse usually has a minimum of 30 days to answer an interrogatory. Depositions are usually required to be 'recorded' by a certified court reporter. Minimum notice and response times drag out this process, so discovery can take several months to several years.
File motions	Your attorney might file a motion to attempt to change a temporary order. The motion makes a legal argument that supports the need to change an order.
Try to reach settlement agreement	At various times during the divorce process, both sides may attempt to reach an out-of-court agreement. Doing so may save on overall divorce costs.
Undergo custody evaluation/Secure expert witnesses	If you and your spouse have not yet reached agreement on custody and visitation, you may be ordered to attend an evaluation. The judge, your attorney, or your spouse's attorney may request the time-consuming, costly evaluation. Trained mental health professionals might conduct testing, interviews and observations of parents and children. You can also secure your own expert witness to support your argument for custody or other issues.
Attend pre-trial conference	Judge may call a conference to review the evidence that will be presented at trial or to encourage a settlement. Both sides receive a general idea of how the court views certain issues.
Attend hearing or trial	If no settlement has been reached, both sides present evidence and arguments regarding property division, child custody, visitation, child and spousal support.
Enter final judgment	The judge enters an order that includes financial and custody terms. Most states don't allow divorces to go to a jury trial, in which the jury — not the judge — would make decisions about certain aspects of the divorce dispute.

Collaborative Divorce Timeline

A collaborative divorce is less adversarial in nature and format because you come to agreement over divorce issues outside the courtroom. You and your spouse may cringe at the idea of spending the remainder of your lives together, but you can still address each other without spiraling into a shouting match. You hope to lessen the financial cost and emotional toll — particularly if you have children — through a collaborative divorce that involves alternative dispute resolution. This means you and your soon-to-be ex, with your attorneys, reach a divorce agreement before presenting it to a judge. Unlike an adversarial divorce, which can take years to finalize, a collaborative divorce generally takes a much shorter time, at much less cost.

One caveat: If you fail to reach agreement through this process, you and your spouse may end up going back to the drawing board with an adversarial divorce, which would only add to the total cost of your divorce.

Here's what you can expect in a collaborative divorce:

Action	Description
Enter participation agreement	You, your spouse and your respective attorneys agree that if the collaborative divorce process fails, your attorneys will withdraw from the process, including any litigation. Your attorneys can only work on settlement negotiations.
Hire a mediator	Together you choose the mediator who will be present at meetings
Participate in first four-way meeting	You, your attorney, your spouse and your spouse's attorney meet to begin hashing out divorce issues.
File a petition for divorce	Unlike adversarial, the filing is a joint petition.
Gather information	Parties disclose and exchange financial and custody information.
Meet with divorce coaches	You and your spouse may meet with a divorce coach to negotiate and address emotional concerns present in the divorce process. The coach is a mental health professional, not your therapist, and helps you and your spouse think more clearly during the divorce process.
Participate in second four-way meeting	Meet to discuss status of negotiations and come to agreement on any divorce issues.
Meet with specialists	You may agree to meet with a child specialist to work out child custody issues that are in your child's best interest. The child specialist can help you and your spouse understand how your child is coping with the divorce. You might also meet with a neutral financial specialist, who evaluates your individual needs and attitudes toward finances and who can help you and your spouse agree on a fair solution.
Participate in third four-way meeting	Meet to discuss status and come to agreement on any remaining divorce issues.
Reach custody agreement	Wrap up resolution of all divorce issues, including child custody.
Draft settlement	Attorneys collaborate and draft settlement agreement addressing all divorce issues.
Review settlement	Review and approve the settlement with your attorney.
Participate in final four-way meeting	All parties come together to sign the settlement agreement.
File settlement with Court issues divorce decree	Mediator files the settlement. Judge approves the settlement and grants divorce.

8 Common Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Divorce

Nobody wins in a divorce, but some lose more than others. You can avoid being the bigger loser by avoiding these nine common financial mistakes:

1
Coming up Short on Cash
A particularly acrimonious divorce can cost more than $20,000. Failing to plan for the cost of the divorce can easily send you into debt and much worse off financially from the divorce.
- HOW TO AVOID
  If you see your marriage heading toward divorce, as early as possible, begin shoring up savings and alternative funding sources. Divorce itself is costly — with legal fees, professional consultants and court costs — but smart money moves and estimating your savings plan before the divorce can prevent you from ending up in the post-divorce poorhouse.
2
Filing Before You Formulate a Plan
Maybe you can't stand being in the same room as your spouse and jumped ship as soon as you decided you wanted a divorce. Filing those divorce papers was a huge relief. But lack of careful preparation means you'll end up reacting to divorce developments without a clear, strategic plan. There's only so much an attorney can do to help if the damage has already been done.
- HOW TO AVOID
  Understand how long and winding the road of divorce can be before you file by educating yourself about it, online or the good old-fashioned way, through books. Consult with legal and financial professionals about your situation. You need a plan, and professionals are much more well-versed with divorce issues.
3
Failing to Keep a Paper Trail
You might have a good argument for property division or child custody, but failing to back it up with hard documents is of little help. With inadequate proof, you'll only end up pitting your words against your spouse's.
- HOW TO AVOID
  As soon as possible, preferably before your divorce begins, obtain copies of all financial records — for both joint and separate accounts — that prove ownership and interest amounts. Include things like tax returns, credit card statements, property titles, loan documents, car registrations and investment brokerage statements.
4
Discounting Income Tax Changes
Forgetting to factor in taxes can result in paying more taxes or failing to fight for what you need. When it comes to the IRS, the government treats married couples and singles differently. A single person often ends up paying a higher tax rate than a married person. Or, if you end up receiving spousal support, you fail to calculate the taxes you'll pay on it and end up with less than you need.
- HOW TO AVOID
  Property division decisions should always consider the tax ramifications. Figure out the after-tax value of the disputed property. You may need to consult with a CPA to determine whether getting the brokerage account and passing up the retirement plan is a better move. A CPA can tell you whether you are better off selling the house or keeping it a few more years.
5
Failing to Piece Together the Big Picture
You can't argue effectively if you don't fully understand where you stand financially. You fail to properly investigate your spouse's investments and overlook assets, which means you don't get your fair share.
- HOW TO AVOID
  Make the effort to take inventory of all assets and investments. Doing so may jog your memory of your spouse's separate banking account or safe deposit box that was opened years ago. Carefully review documents — such as retirement plans and insurance policies. Even your spouse's hobby equipment may be a worthwhile asset to include in negotiations. Sometimes, engaging a forensic CPA can be helpful.
6
Allowing Emotions to Rule
Divorce is emotional, and there's no way around it. But letting your emotions dictate your every decision can easily result in financial decisions that exact long-term damage. Basing decisions on revenge can prolong the divorce, adding exponentially to attorneys' fees and court costs. Emotions may also push you to fight over every issue, including inconsequential ones, while your attorney charges you $5 for every minute you seethe at your spouse.
- HOW TO AVOID
  Keep your lid on your emotions and consider whether mediation can work in your situation. As much as possible, treat your divorce like a business transaction. Your attorney is not your friend. A friend doesn't bill you $300 for a tear-filled tête-à-tête. Take a step back and consider the long-term ramifications of your decisions. Consulting with professionals who can help you see beyond your emotional motivations may act as a damper on the flames of acrimony.
7
Neglecting Your Post-Divorce Livelihood
Focusing too much on ending your marriage leaves you vulnerable to the aftermath — how to stay afloat financially in the long term. The stress of flying solo is already hard enough without the worry of finding a job and bringing in income. If you receive spousal support, those payments may simply not be enough. Even more, your divorce agreement may require you to work.
- HOW TO AVOID
  Take on an "act, not react" attitude. Before or during your divorce, work on boosting your career or reviving it if it's been on the shelf during the years you spent raising your children. Getting a head start on this likely scenario means you've created some job security or you're that much closer to a salary raise.
8
Shunning Professionals
Hiring an attorney for your divorce is a given for most people. But ignoring the long-term financial benefits of other professionals who can bolster your divorce arguments can prevent you from getting the best outcome from the judge.
- HOW TO AVOID
  Ask your attorney about other professionals who can help solidify your property division and custody arguments. A forensic accountant may be useful for locating your spouse's hidden assets. A financial adviser who specializes in divorce may help you work out the best strategy.

How Much Will You Receive or Pay in Alimony?

"Alimony" is a popular term people use when describing support payments one ex-spouse pays the other. How much you will receive or pay in alimony depends on many factors, including the state where you reside. In some states, like California, courts use a formula that factors in the income for both spouses, any minor children or dependents, and the length of the marriage. In other states, judges use their discretion to come up with a support amount, if any. In these states it's anyone's guess how much you might expect to pay or receive. This uncertainty is a significant reason to consider a collaborative divorce where you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse answer the support payment question yourselves.

Courts look at many factors when deciding how much support, if any, one spouse needs to pay another:

Length of the marriage
Age and health of each spouse
How much both earn or could earn in their chosen industries
Years both attended school and any degrees or certifications
When either attended school (before or during marriage)
Work skills for each spouse
Work experience for each spouse
Work during the marriage
Who will care for any children and dependents
If either used marital money unreasonably, if so how much
How any property and debt is divided
Any other relevant factors

State laws use technical terms to describe alimony payments. No state offers all of the following;

Alimony Payment	Description
Long-Term or Permanent Support	May be granted when marriages were 10+ years in length and the dependent spouse is not employable. Usually ends when dependent spouse cohabitates or remarries. Not allowed by all states.
Rehabilitation	Intended to help a dependent spouse get retrained and back into the workforce. Usually ends when the dependent spouse becomes employed in their industry.
Reimbursement	Usually consists of a two-part test. Did the now-dependent spouse make an economic sacrifice? Did the sacrifice result in an economic gain for the other spouse? For example, did a one spouse drop out of MBA school to support the other's attendance in medical school? In this example, a court may, if the law allows, order the doctor to pay the MBA dropout reimbursement alimony.
Reorientation	Provides dependent spouse living expenses while the couple's marital assets are distributed and sold.
Temporary or pendente lite Support	Support paid to the dependent spouse for a limited time, which allows the dependent spouse to set up a household. This may also be called "reorientation."

Reader Resources

States handle divorces, so you'll need to look at the state laws where you live to understand what to expect in your divorce. You can still gain some understanding of the divorce process and its issues through these resources:

American Bar Association
Learn about the factors that determine child custody, child support and visitation decisions in divorce. Also understand the issues that may alter custody arrangements and child support amounts.

The Center for Divorce Education
Find educational articles, tools and programs about divorce and minimizing its negative effects from this non-profit organization.

MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Access information and resource links to journal articles, statistics and research that help you better manage the stress of divorce for yourself and children.

Utah State University's Utah Divorce Orientation
USU offers helpful divorce courses and documents for both adults and children affected.

Women's Institute for Financial Education
Retrieve information and answers to commonly asked financial questions relating to divorce and its impact, as part of this non-profit organization's mission to further women's financial independence.

About Nathan Paulus

Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.

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Financially Planning for a Divorce

How a Divorce Works: A Timeline

Adversarial Divorce Timeline

Collaborative Divorce Timeline

8 Common Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Divorce

Coming up Short on Cash

Filing Before You Formulate a Plan

Failing to Keep a Paper Trail

Discounting Income Tax Changes

Failing to Piece Together the Big Picture

Allowing Emotions to Rule

Neglecting Your Post-Divorce Livelihood

Shunning Professionals

How Much Will You Receive or Pay in Alimony?

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