No one expects divorce to be easy. Yet, many find it more complicated than expected. Closing an important chapter in your life does not happen overnight, and things could get a lot worse before they get better. Knowing that in advance can help you deal with it when it happens.
There are ways to reduce the conflict in a divorce
Your characters and history will determine how much conflict there is. Yet there are a few steps you can take to make the process smoother:
- Inform yourself: The law sets boundaries for most divorce-related matters. A judge will not break those rules for you, however hard you plead. Entering divorce negotiations with realistic expectations will speed things up. Unrealistic ones will slow the process down. Make sure you understand your financial situation. Otherwise, you will harm your chances of a successful outcome.
- Stay clear of triggers: It is easy in the middle of a discussion with your spouse to bring up something you know will hurt them. You might remind them about their affair 30 years ago. They might bring up the time you blew the housekeeping at the casino. Provoking a reaction from your partner will not move things forward. Nor will responding when they try to do it to you.
- Stay focused on your goals: It is easy to get distracted when discussing matters such as dividing property or sharing time with the children. The key to making these meetings effective is to focus only on the topic at hand.
The legal matters affecting divorce can be challenging to understand. Your attorney can explain them in simple terms. They are there to guide you through the process. The better you navigate your divorce, the better equipped you will be to start the new phase of your life.