Take the time to clearly understand all the details of your divorce. When you do that, you'll know what to expect, and nothing will blindside you.

It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but a surprising number of people go through their divorce process and end up uncertain of what they've agreed to.

There are quite a few critical questions and factors you will need to have answers for:

Your Divorce Agreement

Child Custody

Home and Living Arrangements

Finances

Other Considerations

Your divorce lawyer or mediator should be able to help you create a parenting agreement that works for you and your unique situation.

If you prefer to create your own, here are some resources and templates that may be helpful to you:

Between Two Homes: http://www.childreninthemiddle.com/documents/SampleParentingplan.pdf

Splitting Up? Put Kids First: http://www.splittingup-putkidsfirst.org.uk/home

3 Step Parenting Plan: http://www.3stepparentingplan.com/

Family by Design: http://familybydesign.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FBD-Co-Parenting-Agreement.pdf

Rocket Lawyer: https://www.rocketlawyer.com/document/parenting-plan.rl

CRCkids: http://www.crckids.org/wp-content/uploads/Parenting-Agreement.pdf

You’ll need a dependable system for recording all your family’s activities. There are lots to choose from. Online versions can make it easy to share information between households. Check out the ones listed below. One of them might be perfect for your situation:

Both Parents: http://www.bothparents.com/wordpress/
PodKeeper: http://www.podkeeper.com/
Cozi: http://www.cozi.com/
2 Houses: https://www.2houses.com/en/
Our Family Wizard: https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/
Cofamilies: https://cofamilies.com/
Skedi: http://rodaxsoft.com/
Two Happy Homes: https://www.twohappyhomes.com/

Your home tool kit should include basic things such as:
hammer
screwdrivers
pliers
wrench
level
measuring tape
assortment of nails and picture-hanging hardware
spackle (for patching small holes)
touch-up paint
ladder or stepstool
utility knife
flashlight
cordless drill
plunger

Here are a few links with instructions on how to assemble a home tool kit that works for you:

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/tools/setting-up-a-basic-diy-toolkit-pictures

http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/maintenance-repairs/essential-tools-diy-projects

http://www.houzz.com/photos/958838/Homeowner-Tools

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/550-the-essential-toolbox/#.VqAPKfkrKUk

Home improvement and hardware stores often carry tool sets that include many of these basic items:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-3-8-in-Homeowners-Tool-Set-76-Piece-H76HOS/203552669#.UWdltxnio7A

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Assemble+a+Basic+Tool+Kit_1349977325305_

Check out these videos to learn how to:

Change furnace filters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYrVgFSzV4

Unclog a sink drain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMFBP6dX5fY

Unclog a toilet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA-11wvO9lk

Use a drill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tTDNWn0eQ

Being in control of your money and knowing how much you have is powerful. When you control your money, you have choices. And I want you to have as many choices about your life as possible.

Click the link below to access my Monthly Income and Expense Tracking/Cash Flow spreadsheet. Using a document like this will make the job of tracking and managing your financial life a lot easier.

Cash Flow Spreadsheet

There are typically a lot of kids' expenses that parents agree to share as part of their divorce agreement. And while the decision to share the expenses is one accomplishment, the payment of and reimbursement to each other for those expenses can be an ongoing challenge. It means you need to keep your spending records up to date and the payments to each other current.

Click the link below to access my Shared Expense Journal spreadsheet. It shows an example and gives a structure to follow for tracking this important information.

Shared Expense Journal

There are many helpful online versions on shared expense journals available. Here are a few to check out:

https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/co-parenting
https://www.2houses.com/en/
http://thedivorcelog.com/

Even though the world is largely digital, the ongoing daily business of living still requires that we process and manage a lot of paperwork.

When you add a divorce--and all the related paperwork--to the equation, you have a recipe for a huge paper blizzard in your home if you don't stay on top of managing it all.

If you put a system in place to track all of the paperwork it takes to run your life, you'll be glad you did. It will save you endless hours searching through boxes for important documents you need.

For help with creating your own system, click the link below to access my Household Document Planning and Filing System.

Household Document Planning and Filing System

As a single parent there is just one of you to pick up your kids, bring them home and make dinner. Because of that, the job of planning healthy meals for your family is really important.

Pre-planned, healthy dinners make the whole week better. Kids are fed before they are starving. Homework starts on time. Bath time goes as planned. It's like a magic wand for a peaceful evening.

An important part of making it all work is to be organized about meal planning and food shopping. The links below will help you get started:

Meal Planning

http://moneysavingmom.com/downloads/meal-menu-planners
http://organizedhome.com/printable/household-notebook/weekly-menu-planner-shopping-list

Batch Cooking

http://theartofsimple.net/back-to-the-basics-batch-cooking/
http://www.allyou.com/diet-fitness/diet/batch-cooking

Grocery Lists

http://www.grocerylists.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/grocerylistsDOTorg_Deluxe_v3_3.pdf
http://www.grocerylists.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/grocerylistsDOTorg_Vegetarian_v1_2.pdf
http://outofmilk.com/ShoppingList.aspx