Divorce is never going to be easy – even in best-case scenarios. However, many couples’ divorces end up being far more difficult than they could have been if they had done a few things differently.
Here are a few mistakes you want to try and avoid:
1. Taking too extreme a stance
You are not going to get everything your way in a divorce and neither is your spouse. If one or both of you pushes too hard for something or demands too much, you are probably wasting time. The truth is, if your marriage is over, you probably both made mistakes along the way. It is rarely all one person’s fault. Taking an extreme or rigid stance can also make it more likely your spouse does the same. Far better is to set out looking to find a middle ground you can both live with.
2. Letting your emotions get the better of you
Divorce discussions about things such as custody, spousal support and property division can easily escalate. One person says something that upsets the other and they respond in kind. Before you know it things have become so heated that you are both seeing red and unable to focus on what you are there for – negotiating a solution.
3. Failing to plan
While you do not need to know every detail of how you want your future to be, having some idea is necessary. It allows you to better explain why you might need certain things in the divorce. For example, saying that – to be self-sufficient – you need to take course X which lasts for 16 months and costs $28,000 sounds much better than just saying you need money and want spousal support.
Taking legal guidance can help you focus on what is important during the divorce and work efficiently toward an optimal solution.