Hello, I hope you're all doing good.

I'll try and keep it short. Just like the title says, I (25M) want to know how can I best prepare for a divorce (that I will ask for).

I've been married for almost 4 years now, we have a beautiful 8 months old son, no house of our own, just paying rent, and a car on my name that I'm still paying (2 years left).

I've read that I should find a lawyer and talk to them before actually asking for the divorce, but what else?

  • What about mentally, economically, physically, or simply in all aspects?
  • How the process usually goes when there are assets and kids involved?
  • What should I expect from my lawyer, and hers if she decides to fight back?
  • What should I expect from the system and the law?
  • I earn more than her, can she put me on child support right away or does it only apply when I neglect the child?
  • How did you bring up the news to your wife?
  • How did you make it easier for your kids, if any?

Note: you don't actually have to answer any/all of these, they're more as an example of the things I keep wondering.

It would be too much to ask, but I would like to keep the car, or sell it and get some money back, and at least part-custody of my son, if not full. She works at night 4 days out of the week, so my son would need to be with her family almost all the time, or in a daycare, but I work from home, I can (and have been) take care and spend time with him daily.

That's basically what I would talk with the lawyer and go from there. But ultimately I just want it to be quick, I won't drag it if I can't get what I want just to try my luck.

At the moment I don't have the money to do this, as I intend to wait until I have for the initial paperwork, the lawyer fees (or part of it) and enough to move out to my own place right after I let her now. This means I have to endure a few months more, so I would like to use them to get ready for whatever, hence this post.

I'm from (and live) in the Dominican Republic, a Latin American country, so it won't be the same rules and process as some of you, which I understand, but I'm also looking for life tips, self-improvement, money stuff, taking care of my son during and after this, etc. Anything you have for me.

Thanks in advance!