Preparing For Divorce? Advice To Simplify The Process
Posted on: 24 October 2022
If you and your spouse have made the decision that it's time to end your marriage, you may be trying to decide how to proceed from here. The separation, negotiation, and settlement process is the most difficult part of the divorce process because it often happens while emotions are still raw from the separation. Here's a look at some tips to help you navigate the early stages of your divorce process with as little emotional upheaval as possible.
Approach Negotiations In Good Faith
When the time comes to start negotiating the divorce settlement, approach those negotiations in good faith. Make a concerted effort to give as much as you get in the settlement by being flexible about the things that aren't as important. The easiest way to do this is to determine ahead of time which things are the most important to you. Know what you really want from the process and be willing to negotiate on the other things in good faith.
Make The Kids The Priority
Remember that children are the ones that suffer the most from separation and divorce because their nuclear family changes and the home structure that they've always known is engulfed in upheaval and changes. As you start to negotiate your divorce, put the needs of your children first. Don't try to shut out a parent that's responsible, reliable, and active in the children's lives as a means of punishing them for the relationship coming to an end. Make sure that your children get equal time with both of you and that their routines stay as consistent as possible.
Speak Gently Throughout The Process
Whether you're at the negotiating table or you're in earshot of your children, always speak gently about the divorce. Remember that the spouse you are separating from is the other half of your child's DNA, so you don't want to speak negatively about them or be harsh about the situation because that can be harmful to your child's self-perception as well as their relationship with your former spouse. Be respectful and calm throughout the process and you won't have to worry about your emotions getting the better of you, which is common in the early stages of divorce in particular.
These are a few of the most important things to consider when it comes to preparing for a divorce. Talk with a local family law attorney today for more guidance and to get the process started.
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