Divorce is never easy. It is a difficult and challenging process for everyone involved.
However, understanding and being prepared for various aspects of it, could help you deal better with all the complexities and the emotional upheavals that usually accompany a divorce.
You need clarity to be able to see what is truly important in order to take the correct decisions for yourself and your loved ones.
Be prepared emotionally
Without a doubt, divorce creates a breakdown of trust and communication between divorcing spouses.
However, it is advisable to think in terms of building a “friendly” working relationship with the other spouse. After all, both parties need to move on and continue to have a meaningful relationship with their children.
It is important to realize that children of divorced parents can thrive if parents consciously focus on helping them feel secure and loved. Do your best to stay calm and not let your emotions overwhelm you.
Keeping your emotions in control might also allow you to be able to communicate with your spouse in a more effective manner. If you are able to do so, it is good to have a discussion of your intention to divorce and matters regarding custody of children and asset division.
It would be ideal for the both of you to be able to come to a consensus, as you would be spared the turmoil of a contested divorce.
Arm yourself with knowledge
It helps to have as much information as possible about the divorce process.
If you know what is coming your way you can be better prepared for it and that can help you build your self-belief and courage to face the situations. It is advisable that you should consult an experienced divorce lawyer, as he or she may be able to offer you insights and solutions that you may not be able to discover on your own.
Just by doing this, you can keep out the stress of guesswork out of the divorce process.
Keep in mind that information is power.
Click on the the next page to see what else can you do to make dealing with divorce easier.
Know the financial implications
An uncontested divorce is relatively inexpensive. You can consider sharing the same lawyer with your spouse as this is much less expensive than parties hiring their own set of lawyers.
In contrast, a contested divorce could cost a lot more, depending on the complexity of the issues and at what stage they are resolved.
Try to establish, as early as possible, how you intended divorce will proceed.
Have the right legal team
Find a lawyer who specializes in matrimonial proceedings with a large pool of dedicated matrimonial lawyers and support staff.
The last thing you need is a “jack of all trades” or a sole operator with limited resources. If you and your spouse want to settle matters amicably, your divorce lawyer should also come from a law firm trained and proficient in Mediation and Collaborative Divorce as additional services for you.
If your lawyer is trained in alternative dispute resolution, your divorce has a higher chance of being resolved at an earlier stage.
It takes courage and strength to endure the entire divorce process. Often, the going may get tough, but there is help available to ease the stress. With the right legal team and personal approach, this process can be made easier both on you and your loved ones.
This article is contributed by Javern Sim, Family Lawyer at Gloria James-Civetta & Co.