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Once you know that a divorce is in your future, take steps to be ready. The below things to do may seem unimportant now but divorce can go off in an unplanned direction. The below list focuses on getting your personal and financial life ready for divorce.

Save Some Cash

No matter what your personal financial situation, you are likely to need more money than you think as you go through a divorce. Moving expenses, legal fees, mental health therapy, and other expenses can pop up unexpectedly during your separation period, and having ready cash means you aren't forced to make desperate decisions based on a lack of money.

Redirect Your Mail

Either rent a box at a mailbox store or the post office for the time being and have your sensitive mail directed to that address. Some couples choose to live together temporarily when housing is in short supply, and a separate box protects your privacy. You don't want your spouse to read confidential information about your upcoming divorce, for example.

Open Bank Accounts

If you don't already have a separate checking and saving account, open one now. Also consider speaking with a financial expert about your retirement plans. During your divorce, you have the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) which provides you with access to your spouse's retirement account. It's vital to roll that money over to your own account to avoid paying income taxes on it.

Make Out a New Budget

Things will never be the same again with your budget so you might as well meet the issue head-on by figuring out a new budget. Since you are probably in a transitional period, make a separation budget and a post-divorce budget to account for the unique financial challenges of both time periods.

Perform an Inventory

You should be prepared to give your divorce lawyer a list of all your important assets so get started on an inventory that includes your home, vehicles, bank accounts, other financial assets, and anything else of value you can think of. Some of those things might be marital assets and some may not but your lawyer should be the one to help you sort that out. If you know you entered the marriage or inherited certain assets, make a note of those.

Speak to your divorce lawyer and find out what else you should be doing to get your personal financial situation ready for divorce.