I think if you just lay down some newspaper, wet it down and start covering it with anything that will break down, leaves, hay, whatever, you can not only 'soften' the soil but improve it as well. If you want to till it in the spring, the newspaper should be decomposed. But here's what I did to add a new bed for vegetables in my lawn. In Nov. I tilled it deeply and raked all the grass out. Then I planted winter wheat and oats left over from a deer plot planting. In the spring, I'll till it all under. The winter grass will loosen the dirt and add nitrogen to the soil when I till it in. Good luck and welcome.

rustywillyz, You didn't mention what type of soil you have. I agree with alan8 adding organic material to the soil as soon as possible will be the best thing for the soil. It is mid January when I am posting this. If the ground isn't frozen you can spread some steer manure then a layer of straw. The moisture in the ground and the rains will meet in the middle to work on decomposition. You can till the material into the soil in the spring.

Here is a link that might be useful: Phil The Gardener

I just put about 6-8 inches of compost on the grass in the spring (I have a lot of composted sheep bedding available), then till it up. I don't find that the clumps of turf cause much trouble. I mulch with spoiled hay between the beds/rows. It probably helps that my lawn is pretty sparse to begin with! I live in New Hampshire.