Britney Spears files for Divorce

Britney Spears, a famous pop star, well noted for her hit singles, "Oops! I did it again" and "Baby Hit Me One More Time," files for divorce against her husband, Kevin Federline of two years.  They have two minor children of their marriage.  Britney cited "irreconcilable differences for dissolving her marriage."  Read the Petition for Divorce filed by Britney Spears on November 7, 2006.  Britney Spears v. Kevin Federline.

The First Steps - Filing for Divorce

Prior to filing for divorce, preparation is key.  There are legal and practical issues that must be resolved before the petition is filed.  Retain a lawyer if the divorce is contested, you have children and/or any significant assets.  Once the petition is filed, it becomes public record.  The party who files the petition is the petitioner and the opposing party becomes the respondent. 

You should gather and copy records.  If you are unsure of what to copy, err on the side of precaution and copy everything.  Missing or destroyed documents are common after the petition has been served on the opposing spouse.

Get emotionally prepared.  Although the emotional distress of divorce has been compared to the death of a loved one, filing for divorce, in most circumstances, allows you time to get emotionally prepared.  Remember people talk and friends become confused.  Family and friend's responses and comments become unpredictable.  You should not take it personally.  Financially, maintaining two separate households on the same level of income becomes a challenge.  You should get your financial records in order and prepare a budget to live on.  Talking to your children about divorce becomes another challenge, especially if they are young and wonder why "mommy" and "daddy" are living in separate houses.  Decide how to explain your decision to your spouse and children.

If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact a divorce lawyer for recommendations.  Filing for divorce is a difficult step in the best circumstances.  Living through a divorce is life changing and does not have to be the kind of "nightmare" we all have read and heard about.  "Life happens to the best of us, it is not what happens to us but how we react to what happens to us."  With adequate preparation and competent counsel by your side, the process of divorce becomes less of a challenge.