Divorce is one of the most stressful and challenging experiences that can happen to a person. The emotional trauma, financial strain, and the added stress of navigating the legal system all make for a lot of hard work. If you are planning to end your marriage soon, you must have a plan for how to keep your divorce simple. A healthy divorce can be both practical and pleasant for everyone involved. Children need to know everything will be OK, and parents need to have as little stress as possible. Here are five vital tips to ensure it doesn’t turn into an unmanageable mess.
1. Be Courteous to Your Partner During Negotiations
It is very easy for divorced parents to become bitter toward one another as this highly emotional time draws on. Resentment between the parties can lead to needless conflict and even escalate into a full-blown custody battle. A war of words can turn into a war of actions. You do not want this to happen, so it is best to keep things civil. Keep the lines of communication open. Hatred toward your ex will never help your children. Be respectful to one another and treat them with dignity whether speaking or not. Start by greeting them with a smile and end by wishing them a good day. This shows them that you still have a heart and that you can treat them with the respect they deserve.
One of the most common causes of conflict during divorce is angry outbursts from either party in which they express feelings of contempt toward each other. Take some minutes to remember why you have chosen to go through this process. This will help assure that you are always respectful and maintain a calm demeanor. Being courteous and respectful will help to quickly expedite the process. It will also be good for your relationships with your children. Children tend to copy the adults around them. They will learn how to treat their peers by seeing how their parents treat each other.
2. Find a Suitable Attorney
A good lawyer will be an invaluable asset as your divorce moves forward. Find someone knowledgeable and with experience in family law. A quality attorney will not only offer you quality legal advice, but they can also keep your emotions from getting the best of you. A good consultant can comprehend the situation and help put things into perspective for all parties involved.
The emotional trauma and confusion of divorce can be very complicated. Having someone to guide you and offer sound advice can make all the difference. Your lawyer may even recommend a counselor to help you and your ex-partner come to terms with the changes that are taking place. Even though you may not feel like talking through your situation, you must do it. Your attorney can help you work through a game plan to keep everything on track. You would be surprised at the number of people who have gone into divorce blindly and ended up making things much worse than they needed. Don’t hesitate to seek the advice of a family law professional. If you live in Australia, you can look for family lawyers in Mornington, just make sure they are certified and be members of the Law Society. You can trust that they will have your best interests in mind.
3. Stay Organized
Be sure to keep detailed records of everything that is happening. This includes information about your marriage, assets and debts, custody issues, and anything else that may be relevant. It will help speed things along if you have one person designated as the family organizer. This person can be the one who keeps tabs on all of the legal paperwork and information. This can help prevent mistakes and confusion.
You may need some documents to help your case. This is especially true with joint custody issues. If your marriage includes a prenuptial agreement or any other property settlement, you must ensure that these documents are in order. Make sure you keep copies of all financial records as well. These can include tax returns, investment statements, and any other documents that are relevant to the case. Keeping copies of all documents given to your lawyer or financial adviser is also a good idea. Your attorney will advise you on what to do with these documents, but be sure you have them in case you need more information later.
4. Prepare Together
Discuss all of your options with your partner. Schedule a time to do this so you can avoid the possibility of rushing through it or needing to contain your emotions. It will also help save on legal fees if you agree on what needs to be done in advance. You will also want to begin laying down a plan for how the children will be kept updated as things progress. Before sharing the news about your divorce, have a plan everyone is on board with. This can avoid big arguments, and you will also avoid hurting your children.
It will also help if you can talk through the financial aspects of things with your spouse. Decide on a budget for childcare and daycare, groceries, house supplies, utilities, and other living expenses that must be paid during the divorce process. Your partner may have ideas of things you can do to save money. Getting their feedback is a good idea. If there are any joint financial issues, ensure everyone is on the same page.
5. Consider Mediation
Mediation is a way of resolving things outside of the courtroom. While this may not always be feasible, it is good to keep this option open if necessary. A mediator can help you and your partner reach an agreement that is fair to both parties. If you can work together on this, it can save you a lot of time and money. The mediator will begin by listening to both sides and will try to provide you with options that can help resolve the issues at hand. If this is not possible, your mediator can offer you advice as a last resort. You will have the option of taking their advice or continuing with the legal process.
A mediator can be anyone qualified for the job. You can have a professional mediator, or you can have someone from your community act as a mediator. The main goal of Mediation is for both parties to reach closure in an amicable matter. A professional mediator will be trained to discuss all aspects of the case. They will know how to maintain an unbiased approach to ensure everyone is happy. After all, is said and done, you will end up with a legally binding agreement. Legal proceedings can take years to complete and thousands of dollars. This is why it is a good idea to consider mediation as an alternative.
Conclusion
Keep a level head and be ready to go through the process one step at a time. If you can plan and stay organized, your divorce will be much more manageable. Working through these processes is necessary to get on with your life. Don’t rush things. Work closely with your lawyer to devise a well-thought-out plan for the future. The sooner you know where you stand, the more prepared you can be for all the challenges you will face moving forward.
