One of the most private and emotional experiences an individual can endure is a divorce. No matter the circumstances surrounding the breakdown of a marriage, it is not uncommon that there are areas of your personal life you’d rather not be made public. From the moment you file at the Monroe County clerk’s office, your private life, including your finances, can become exposed, and protecting your privacy during and after a divorce in North Gate, NY is vital.
At Trotto Law Firm, P.C., we know firsthand how important privacy is during a divorce case. With almost two decades of experience behind us, one of our main priorities in your case will be doing everything in our power to ensure your divorce stays out of the public eye and moves as quickly and smoothly as possible with as much protection for your privacy as we can manage. With our help, you can implement several strategies to protect your privacy.
If you feel concerned about your spouse accessing your private information during or after a divorce, it can be vital to change your passwords on all personal accounts. This can help ensure your spouse has no access to your personal accounts. Many couples share devices, such as computers or smart TVs. During marriage, it might have been convenient to share your passwords with one another, but now the time has come to change them.
It is vital to change all passwords and PINs on certain devices or accounts, including the following:
When changing these passwords or PINs, keep in mind that you should not use passwords your spouse could easily guess. This might include using the names or birth dates of your children or a beloved pet. Store all your updated passwords and PINs in a safe location and ensure all your security questions come with answers your spouse would not be able to easily guess.
You might feel tempted in the moment, especially during tense or angering moments, to vent your frustrations on social media. In divorce cases, attorneys will often use anything posted to social media apps, such as Instagram, Facebook, or X, as evidence against the opposing party. Putting too much information on social media can actually hurt your case for child custody or your entire divorce settlement.
One of the greatest ways you can protect your privacy is to stay off social media or at least ensure that nothing you post is related to your divorce. You may also make your accounts private, as this will limit the number of people who can see and have access to your social media accounts. Lastly, you may “unfriend” or “block” your spouse or any friends you might share in common who are likely to side with your spouse on certain topics.
In a divorce case, you will need to keep track of several important legal documents. You should also take any of your personal documents that might be commingled with your spouse’s and keep them in a separate place. This can include your birth certificate, your passport or other similar identification, your high school diploma or higher education licenses and certificates, or your vaccination records.
You may also consider having your mail diverted to a relative or friend’s home if you are still cohabiting with your soon-to-be ex-spouse before the marriage is finalized. This can also help ensure that no important documents get sent to the address after the divorce as well. You will want to ensure that you keep all of your own personal legal and financial documents out of the hands of your spouse.
After a divorce, if an ex-spouse demands some form of documentation from you, whether it be regarding the needs of your children or your finances, always check first with your attorney before providing them with what they are requesting.
Last but not least, you need to contact an attorney. Having an attorney on your side during a divorce, and sometimes even after, can be vital. In Monroe County, where North Gate is located, the population of divorced individuals is 8% for men and 12% for women. At Trotto Law Firm, P.C., if you become part of this population, the right thing to do for your own privacy and the safety of your case is to contact an attorney who can help you keep your information safe from the public and your spouse.
Yes, if you and your spouse co-own a joint account, it is wise to close the account following your divorce. This can help ensure that all money and assets are separated as laid out in your divorce decree. Simply notify your bank of the divorce and bring with you your divorce decree so that the account can be dissolved in the correct and legal manner.
It can be difficult to offer an exact timeline as to how long a divorce might take in North Gate, New York. Ultimately, the time frame will depend on the level of cooperation and ability to compromise that you and your spouse share, as well as how many areas of your divorce are contested, such as child support, spousal maintenance, or property division.
During a divorce, it is vital that you protect your personal finances. If you have your own separate bank account, it might be a good idea to change the password, even if the money stored in that account will be subject to a split. You will also want to monitor your credit and safeguard against any potential for your ex to open up credit accounts in your name.
In New York, if a divorcing couple shares children aged 17 or younger, the couple will need to reach an agreement regarding the custody of their children. If the couple cannot reach their own agreement, the courts will do so for them, taking into account factors such as the age of the children, their desires, and the parents’ individual abilities to care for their children.
If you are dealing with a divorce in North Gate, NY, or are facing ongoing challenges afterward, the divorce attorneys at Trotto Law Firm, P.C. are here to help. Whatever your case might entail, we want to be there for you, to support you, and to guide you through the entire process. Contact our offices today to learn more about our services and to schedule your initial consultation with our team.
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