Dealing with Divorce

How to Protect Your Credit Score During a Divorce in New York

Divorce can be challenging enough with all the matters that have to be dealt with, but you also must consider the ramifications of divorce on your credit score. A New York divorce is stressful enough, but you also must come up with a game plan to tackle the division of debts and joint credit cards and credit obligations. It is important to remember that as you are separating lives; having a healthy credit score will be necessary to start over on your own.

Protect your credit score during a divorce in New York

Joint Accounts Can Have an Impact on Your Credit Score

 

It's not the actual marital status (getting divorced) that impacts your credit score but rather it's the joint accounts that you may have with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. As couples are going through the divorce process it's easy to overlook a monthly payment.  

 

Late payments can have a negative impact on your credit score, and you might be dinged by a couple of points. A couple of points may not sound like a lot; however, it can be the difference between having good credit or fair credit.

 

Understand the Impact of Closing Joint Credit Cards

 

Another factor to consider is closing joint credit cards. When you close a credit card it can impact your credit utilization ratio. What this means is that your total amount of available credit decreases when you close a particular account.

 

Another factor to consider is that your ex-spouse may remove you as an authorized user from their credit card. The negative impact this can have is that your credit usage may be impacted and your credit score may drop as a result of not being able to use your spouse's credit card.

 

Some Important Considerations to Protect Yourself During a Divorce

 

Be Proactive and Consider Freezing Your Credit Report

 

Freeze your credit reports during a divorce just in case your ex-spouse wants to open accounts in your name or is attempting to open up additional joint accounts prior to the divorce.

 

Have Those Essential Conversations About Existing Debt with Your Spouse

 

If you can work with your spouse to divide up any existing accounts that you have together, it would be worth it to sit down and have a conversation about how you are going to divide those accounts up and when the best time is to handle that.

 

It's also important to discuss who's going to pay for the remaining debts on credit cards or how the payments will be split up.

 

If you cannot come to a resolution on sorting out who will pay for which debts seek the assistance of a New York divorce mediation lawyer who can help you come to an amicable resolution. Call Sabra Law Group to schedule a call at (646) 472-7971.

 

Invest in Monthly Credit Monitoring

 

It's also a good idea to sign up for a monthly credit monitoring plan so you can monitor your credit report that's why you will get notified if your credit score increases or decreases you will also be able to monitor any inaccuracies and report them so that they do not negatively impact your overall credit score.

 

Need Assistance in Sorting Through Important Divorce Matters in New York?

 

Contact Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971 to speak to a New York divorce mediation lawyer.  Our firm can help you sort through the challenging issues of divorce so you can focus on what matters the most.

 

 

How to Get Through Divorce With Emotional Grit

How to Get Through Divorce With Emotional Grit

Besides losing a loved one, divorce is one of the most difficult and emotional times one will go through. During a divorce in New York, it is normal to experience a multitude of feelings. One day you may be feeling angry whereas the next day you may be feeling sad and depressed. And in the midst of it all you may even see a glimmer of hope when you're having a good day. If you can learn how to utilize emotional grit during your divorce; it can help you build the resilience that you need to get through this difficult time. Think of emotional grit as the strength, courage, and wisdom that helps you navigate the toughest things that life throws your way, including divorce. Let’s explore how to get through divorce with emotional grit and come out ahead.

 

Don't Deny Your Feelings

 

If you're feeling sad, angry, hurt, or betrayed understand that these are real emotions and you’re not the only one who is going through these emotions. Other people in New York who have gone through divorce have also experienced these same feelings. What’s more important is that you acknowledge your emotions and accept that this is a normal process of going through a divorce.

 

Build a Strong Support System to Lean on When Needed

 

Having a strong network of friends and family will ensure that when you do have a rough day dealing with your soon-to-be ex, that you have the support that you need to get through the toughest days. If you don't have a strong circle of friends and family that you can go to or maybe you're more of a private person consider getting professional help. A licensed therapist or counselor can help you feel supported during this difficult time. Furthermore, if you have not already reached out to a New York divorce lawyer or mediator you may also consider seeking legal support from them.

 

Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

 

Many times, people think that setting boundaries means telling people what you don't want or what you will not tolerate and while that is true there's another scenario to consider as well. The other scenario is that simply stating your boundaries to your soon-to-be ex-spouse may not be enough. Boundaries are more impactful when you actually show the other person what you're willing to tolerate and not tolerate. So, to enforce boundaries, you must show them that you are serious about your boundaries and not just tell them.

 

Self-Care is a Must During This Time

 

Make sure that you are taking time to yourself every day and that you're also eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, and doing things that make you happy.

 

Even if you have children to take care of and a full-time job it's imperative that you take some time to yourself every day. Even if it's taking half an hour to go for a walk or listen to your favorite audiobook or going for a jog or to the gym.

 

Think of Divorce as a Learning Experience

 

Every negative thing that happens to you in life can be used as a learning experience to grow as a person. Using your struggles as a learning experience can definitely help you be more resilient and prepared to bounce back from anything that life sends your way.

 

Be Open to Change

 

If there's one thing that every divorce has in common is that nothing stays the same and change is inevitable in a divorce. Therefore, instead of fighting the change, embrace it with open arms as a positive thing in your life rather than a negative.

 

Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself

 

Just remember that you are human, and you can only do your best, and whatever happens after that is out of your control. Therefore, if you know that you've done your best then give yourself some grace.

 

Do You Need Legal Guidance During Your Divorce in New York?

 

Call Sabra Law Group at (646) 472-7971 to get the help that you need and take some of the pressure off by letting a New York divorce attorney communicate and negotiate the complex terms of your divorce.