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Spring is here at last and maybe you’ve got the itch to do some spring cleaning. When you are going through a divorce you may feel the urge to make some big changes at home as you either move into your own place or reclaim the marital home as your own independent space. Before you begin wildly throwing things out, consider these tips.
- Preserve your spouse’s belongings. As much as you might love the thought of tossing your ex’s baseball collection or high heels onto the front lawn or into a dumpster, don’t purposely destroy or throw away your spouse’s items until your attorney gives you the all clear. If you are still working through your property settlement, those items will have to be returned. Even if your divorce has just been finalized, there must be a reasonable period of time for your ex to come and get his or her belongings.
- Keep important papers. You would not likely toss birth certificates, passports, and deeds, but in your thrill at having a fresh start you might be tempted to get rid of bills, reports, statements, and receipts related to your marriage. It is important to keep all documentation related to your tax returns for 7 years and you need to be certain to keep whatever is needed to file this year’s tax return. If you don’t want reminders of your marriage in plain sight, store these documents in a plastic container in an attic or garage.
- Rearrangement makes everything fresh. If you’re still living in the marital home and want it to feel completely different, you can make it your own space simply by rearranging furniture, or even swapping rooms (making the dining room the living room and vice versa). Changes like these can give you emotional ownership without spending a dime.
At DeTorres & DeGeorge, your future is our focus. Call us today for advice and representation in Somerset and Warren counties and surrounding areas of New Jersey.
