Tax season is behind us, but this time of year has a way of making us all more aware of our financial situations. For couples contemplating legal separation or divorce, it’s especially wise to consider how this year’s decisions will impact us on Tax Day, 2017.

Here are several proactive steps to take when divorce appears imminent.

Start now.

There are eight months remaining in 2016 plenty of time to assess spending habits, shift focus, and seek opportunities for growth. Michelle Crosby, Founder and CEO of Wevorce, likes to think of April 15th as a second shot at a New Year,  a date when you can begin again by making healthy resolutions for a brighter financial future.

It is also a good time to prepare, gather important documents, and start those difficult discussions about finances. It often holds true, the longer the marriage, the bigger the nest egg. In correlation, the more complex it will be and harder to divvy up. Being prepared and knowledgeable about money matters will make it easier.

Identify your money archetype.

As we speak with spouses during the stages of evaluating their marital relationship, we find it’s also a good time for individuals to examine their personal relationship and patterns with money. This will help to identify your money archetype.

We all handle money differently, have different senses of what is normal. They say opposites attract, and often this runs true to archetypes as well. This can prove to be a conundrum with couples on how to achieve financial harmony. By identifying patterns, you can better find solutions.

Each archetype will have their own unique way in which to handle finances. Each will vary in their priorities, each will look for solutions to problems singular to their own way of thinking. Savers feel broke even with dollars in their pockets. Spenders place happiness on the experience and can grow to depend on it as therapy. Some are okay with debt, some aren’t.

It’s important to know how you feel about money. Once you’ve discovered your archetype, you can use this time to develop better habits, discover new tools, and prepare for divorce.

It’s just math.

When it comes to money, it’s just math. Yet, we tend to attach value and emotions to it. Emotions can numb us out to our choices and make us forget to simply do the math.

By taking the value out of finances, it allows us to be clear on what is needed to achieve a fair and equitable division of assets and debts. Without all the emotions, we can be more honest and open about money, to ourselves and the partner we have shared our lives with. Only then can we approach the separation of those lives with the calm rationality that will give both sound building blocks in which to start anew.

It may help to reframe how you think about money by asking questions like: What do I currently possess that brings me joy? Are my basic physical needs being met? Can I practice more gratitude? Often, by refocusing on what we have rather than what we lack, we can change our relationship with money.

Be Proactive.

This is a great opportunity to look ahead, to be proactive in your actions, and prepare for divorce or separation. It’s common in marriages for one spouse to be the earner, while the other manages home and children, careers often put on hold. For non-income earners, it can be scary to think about what’s on the financial horizon when they’ve been away from the job market.

So, if it’s possible, consider adding additional income streams. If unemployed, can you find full-time (or even part-time) employment to help pay bills? Not only will such a decision better prepare you for the future, many divorcees have gained empowerment and self-confidence by embracing a new career path.

Another option is to tighten your household budget. Look at your discretionary spending and consider trimming where possible. Cutting back doesn’t have to mean drastic changes for your family; even minor decreases in recreation or entertainment can free up funds for emergencies that can arise.

Connect with a pro.

Upon legal separation, each former spouse will have to file his or her taxes as single. And, depending on the complexity of your tax return, a number of issues may arise if you don’t know what to expect. “Separating assets means separating tax attributes related to those assets. Sometimes, it can be a complex calculation and can result in thousands of dollars in tax savings, or cost,” explains CPA John Mark Wendler in an article for weLife, “Three Tax Issues To Watch Out For Post-Divorce.

Tax topics can be confusing for taxpayers, adding the complexity of divorce can be overwhelming. It may be wise to consider getting help from a financial professional, one who specializes in divorce and legal separation and understands the financial tax consequences of dividing assets.

Separation and divorce are difficult. But by making smart financial decisions early in the process, you can alleviate stress and create a solid foundation for your future. We encourage you to start now by examining your relationship with money, practicing mindful financial decisions, and connecting with professionals that can help make sense of it all.