If you are contemplating divorce instead of Valentine’s Day, Michelle Singletary lists some action items for your exit strategy in her Washington Post article today:

1. Make copies of joint tax returns. You can order computer transcripts for free from the IRS with form 4506-T or call 800-829-1040. Or you can get copies of the returns and W-2’s for $39 per return by filing form 4506.

2. Order your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

3. Close joint accounts or ask your credit card company to convert them to individual accounts.

4. Consider selling the house.

5. Remember you may still be liable for debt to the creditor even if the divorce decree makes your spouse responsible for payment.

6. Do not assume that you will automatically get 50% of the assets. Maryland, Viriginia and DC are equitable distribution states. Equitable means fair not equal.

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Related posts:

1. Divorce Advice for Men — 11 Things to Do Now
2. Get the Facts First
3. Dividing Up Debt, Part 3
4. Tough Choices
5. All Divorce Dollars Are Not Equal

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 12th, 2006 at 3:57 pm and is filed under Divorce. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.