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The Ultimate Divorce Guide
for Women

Get Organized. Reduce Stress. Move Forward with Confidence.

Starting the divorce process can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
This guide will help you prepare with clarity and confidence.
Divorce Squad is here to support you with expert advice, coaching, and resources as you walk through this difficult and oftentimes overwhelming season of your life.

You Are the Author of This Next Chapter

Your divorce isn’t just an ending, it’s the beginning of your next chapter, and you deserve to move into it with strength and confidence. This guide was created to give you the foundational steps to prepare, organize, and set yourself up for success.  Each milestone you move through will bring you closer to that next chapter, and by being thoughtful during the process about what you want for yourself, you will successfully navigate this process. One step at a time, with the right plan, and surrounded by the right people, you can move forward with confidence and optimism into your future.

This Guide is Your Roadmap:  You Have What You Need to Move Forward

Follow the 7 mile markers.  Each is a guide for you to feel more prepared, more supported, and more in control as you move through the divorce process. You may follow them in the order provided, or it may make sense for you to move through some of them concurrently.

Do what feels right for you on your journey. You’ve got this!

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Mile Marker 1: Complete Your Credit Review Checklist

A Top Concern of Women During Divorce is Their Financial Stability and Security

Going through a divorce is already incredibly stressful without having to worry about your credit. So do not let your credit be the surprise that derails the plans you are making for yourself. As you consider where you may end up living post-divorce, know that poor credit can block your ability to refinance the mortgage on your existing home, buy a new place, rent somewhere, or even set up utilities!

So this is where we begin the journey… let’s take a look at your credit.

There are multiple steps for a comprehensive credit review. Click on each step to expand and see the actions and tips for each. Just like everything in this process, take it a step at a time, at a pace that is welcoming to you.

  • Experian
  • Equifax
  • TransUnion

Tip:
Keep a secure copy in a personal file or shared folder with your attorney or financial advisor.

Ensure all information on your credit report is both accurate and up-to-date:

  • Your correct full legal name (and any aliases or former names)
  • Your date of birth
  • Your current address
  • Your employer information
  • Your Social Security Number

Tip:
Note any addresses tied to properties you’ve left, plan to leave, or have no association with.

For every account that is listed, review:

  • Who owns it? (individual, joint, authorized user)
  • Account type (credit card, mortgage, car loan, etc.)
  • Credit limit or loan amount
  • Current balance
  • Status (open, closed, in default)
  • Payment history (on-time, late, missed)

Tips:

  • Review joint accounts! You are responsible for these even if your spouse is the primary account holder.
  • Note authorized user accounts where your credit may be impacted by your spouse’s behavior.
  • Are there any accounts that you don’t recognize?
  • Are there new accounts just recently opened?
  • Are there unexpected charges or balances that don’t make sense?

Tip:
Unfamiliar activity could indicate financial infidelity or identity misuse/fraud.

  • Have any debts been sent to collections?
  • Are there charge-offs or delinquent accounts?
  • Are there public records like bankruptcies or liens?

Tip:
Debt assigned to your spouse in a divorce decree as their responsibility may still appear on your credit report and can therefore negatively impact your ability to open up new credit lines in the future.

These happen when someone looks at your credit report through a credit bureau. They show up on your credit report.

There are two main types of credit inquires:

Tip:
Monitor for unexpected hard inquiries, especially if your spouse has access to shared personal data.

  • Add a fraud alert or credit freeze if you suspect any unauthorized use. (If you are already working with a mortgage lender, consult with them before making any changes to your credit.)
  • Remove yourself as an authorized user on your spouse’s accounts if it makes sense to at this time. If you are the primary account holder, consider removing your spouse as an authorized user. Important - You are responsible for any and all debt incurred on accounts for which you are the primary account holder.
  • Consider setting up a new, separate mailing address and email for financial documents.
  • Now is a great time to change the passwords to all of your email accounts, any apps requiring logins, your Apple ID and your phone.

Tip:
In the future when you apply for credit, you can simply schedule a short “credit thaw” so your accounts will automatically lock after the thaw expires.

  • Report inaccuracies (balances, payment history, accounts you didn’t open).
  • Dispute through the bureau's website or by mail.
  • Keep a written log of disputes and outcomes.

Tip:
If you are already working with a mortgage lender, consult with them BEFORE making a dispute. Having an active dispute can delay mortgage financing approval.

  • Apply for a credit card in your name.
  • Start making small purchases and pay the balance off monthly.
  • Keep credit utilization under 30%.

Tips:

  • Find a credit card that provides rewards that are appealing to you such as travel or cash back.
  • Many credit cards allow you to set personal spending alerts to help keep you within your budget

Taking charge of your finances early in the process is both empowering and smart. Gathering your financial documents, managing your accounts, and tracking your debt will help you see the full picture so you can plan your next steps with confidence. Congrats! You’re creating the foundation for your future financial independence.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

  • Collect recent bank statements, tax returns, and bills to have everything in one place.
  • Make a list of assets, debts, and monthly expenses to understand your financial landscape.
  • Use simple apps or spreadsheets to track and organize your financial documents.

Tip:
Find free apps and programs that work for you. If you have a free Google email account, you have a free Google Account which provides access to free tools such as Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Drive, where you can keep everything stored in the cloud.

Why it matters: Getting organized now sets you up for success later.

Mile Marker 2: Get Clear On What You Want

Let’s focus on you.

Divorce is an opportunity to reclaim your happiness and design the life you deserve. Taking time to get clear on your values and goals helps you move forward with confidence and intention. This clarity will help guide you as you make important decisions throughout the process.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

  • Talk with a trusted friend, coach, or therapist to help clarify your feelings.
  • Embrace the mindset that this is your chance for growth and positive change.
  • Spend time journaling about your ideal future, what you want to leave behind and what goals you have for yourself.

Why it matters: When you’re clear on what you want, the decisions are easier to make.

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Mile Marker 3: Understand Your Legal Options

Divorce isn't one-size-fits-all.

Gaining knowledge about the divorce process and outcomes, and how those may be shaped by your individual situation, will help you feel better prepared throughout your divorce process. Educating yourself about how assets, custody, and support are handled in your state will ensure you make smart, informed choices. You don’t have to master every detail, but having a solid understanding will empower you to best protect your interests.

Tips:

  • Explore if mediation may be an option for your situation, as it may be less stressful and more cost-effective.
  • Consult with attorneys, asking clear questions about property division, alimony, and custody.
  • Take notes during consultations to help remember key points.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

Identify your non-negotiables, those things that matter most to you.  These may include:

  • Custody and parenting time goals
  • Staying in the marital home
  • Financial concerns (spousal support, child support, division of property)
  • Long-term goals (your career, relocation, children’s schooling, etc.)

Why it matters: Having clear goals will help focus conversations with attorneys and mediators and will also help you decide who can best support you through the process to achieve those goals.

Access the Questions to Ask in a Divorce Attorney Consultation checklist by Logging In!
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Mile Marker 4: Build Your Divorce Squad

You don't have to face divorce alone.

Having a supportive team on your side makes all the difference. From attorneys to coaches and financial experts, the right professionals educate you and empower you to make good decisions. Surrounding yourself with people who respect your goals will make the journey less scary, less stressful and more likely to have positive outcomes.

Tips:

  • Interview multiple professionals to find those who best align with your values and communication style.
  • Consider a divorce coach or health/wellness professionals to support you throughout the divorce process and beyond
  • Keep an open line of communication with your team so you feel both heard and well informed.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

Why it matters: With the right team, your stress levels will be lower and you will feel that you can better navigate this challenging time.

Access the Divorce Guide for Professional Support by Logging In!
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Mile Marker 5: Navigate the Divorce Negotiations

Being prepared helps keep emotion in check.

The back-and-forth of divorce negotiations can bring out an array of negative feelings.  Everything from feeling scared, abandoned and alone, to feeling bitter, betrayed and angry.  It may be easier said than done, but you truly need to try your hardest to approach this as a business situation, despite all of the incredible emotional components that will continuously come up for you.  The business is your life.  And you are the CEO.  So let’s go!

Tips:

  • Separate Emotion from Strategy. Treat each negotiation point as a business decision you need to make. Before responding to any offer or comment, ask yourself:
    “Does responding in this way help me reach my long-term goals?”
  • If there are kids involved, continuously ask yourself “Will this decision put my kids first?”
  • Focus on Facts. Facts allow you to negotiate from a position of clarity and reduce the chance of making decisions based on anger, guilt or fear.
  • Think Long-Term Goals, not just Short-Term Relief. It’s tempting to agree to something quickly just to “get it over with,” but every decision you make will impact your future, financially, emotionally, and legally.
  • Run the numbers on settlement options (e.g., property division vs. cash offers) and consider the long-term effects on housing, retirement, taxes, and co-parenting.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

  • Before the negotiations: Fill in your “Ideal Outcome” and “Long-Term Impact” for each major issue.
  • During the negotiations: Log the offers made and your reactions here before making emotionally charged decisions.
  • After the negotiations: Use your completed matrix to review and make thoughtful, fact-based choices.

Why it matters: This chart will help keep you focused on the facts and what is best for you in the future.

Access the the Financial Checklist and Divorce Negotiation Questionnaire by Logging In!
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Mile Marker 6: Prioritize Your Health

Your well-being is a non-negotiable!

While you’re going through all of the logistics of your separation and divorce, you must take a pause to check in with yourself. Taking care of yourself allows you to manage this stressful period in your life with resilience and clarity. Small acts of self-care and seeking support can make a big difference in how you move through this transition.

Tips:

  • Establish regular self-care routines that recharge your mind and body.
  • Consider therapy or coaching to process emotions and gain perspective.
  • Celebrate small wins and progress along the way.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

Why it matters: Taking care of yourself helps you show up stronger in every part of this journey.

Access the Morning Journal Prompts and Evening Journal Prompts by Logging In!
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Mile Marker 7: Plan Your Next Chapter With Confidence

Time to look forward for what's to come... really, look forward!

Now that you’ve built a solid foundation, it’s time to imagine and prepare for the life you want ahead. Planning housing, finances, and personal goals sets you up for a positive and empowered fresh start. This is your chance to create a future that feels authentic and hopeful.

Tips:

  • Create a realistic budget based on your post-divorce financial situation.
  • Explore new living arrangements that will work for you.
  • Create a vision board of things that you can look forward to in this next chapter.
  • Lean on your support team to help turn your vision into reality.

Empowering steps you can take right now:

Why it matters: Planning helps you move forward feeling purpose, not just feeling pressure.

Access the Things to Consider in a New Home checklist by Logging In!
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You’ve Got This. One Step at a Time.

Divorce isn’t just an ending, it’s also a beginning.

This guide gives you a clear path to move forward with more ease, more strength, and a whole lot more support.

At Divorce Squad, we’re here for all of it, the emotional stuff, the legal stuff, and everything in between. One step at a time, we’ll help you get organized, feel stronger, and keep moving forward toward the life you truly deserve.

  • Complete your checklists.
  • Engage your support squad.
  • And take the next right step, just one at a time.

You’re not just surviving this, you’re creating your next chapter.

And it’s going to be a good one.

You're stronger than you think!

With the right support, you can navigate this transition and build a beautiful new chapter in your life.

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