Divorce and Downsizing: Tips for Making the Move

 Posted on January 07, 2014 in Divorce

Divorce often results in a series of challenging lifestyle changes. Aside from dealing with the loss of your marriage, you may be facing the most difficult challenge of all – the loss of your family home.

For those residing in Illinois, marital property encompasses all property acquired during the course of the marriage and mandates equal distribution of all marital assets.

The final determination could have you seeking alternative living arrangements. With the possible sale of your home out of your hands, an apartment search can turn into a therapeutic way to start anew by downsizing your life, post-divorce.

If you are leaning toward an apartment or condo, the Apartment Guide offers these helpful tips:

Be Realistic

• Location, location, location!
• Does the apartment suit your overall lifestyle needs?
• Check for additional costs, association fees or pet security deposits.
• Take the time to measure the apartment to ensure your furniture will fit.
• Preview all storage options.
• Most importantly, can you visualize living there?

Take Downsizing to the Max

• Plan a garage sale!
• Take an inventory of all possessions.
• Sell larger ticket items no longer needed, perhaps the lawn mower or snow blower
• Make the tough decisions, do you really need the item?
• Unsold items can be donated or placed to the curb with a "FREE" sign.

Organize Your Clutter

• Take a second look!
• Purchase storage bins to make use of limited storage space.
• Keep personal possessions to a comfortable minimum.
• Take an annual inventory of possessions to avoid unnecessary clutter.

Divorce-induced downsizing can be challenging, but if you follow these helpful hints, the move to your new home can be your first step in a new direction.

If you are entering into divorce discussions and are unsure about the division of marital property and how it will affect you pre- and post-divorce, A. Traub & Associates can help. Serving DuPage, Cook, Will and Kane counties, our team of dedicated attorneys will ensure that you have all the answers before moving forward. Contact us today at 630-426-0196 to schedule a consultation today.