When many people think of divorce, they envision lengthy court proceedings that span months or years, slowly draining the resources of both parties. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many paths to resolving divorce without a bitter (and expensive!) court battle.
However, even an uncontested divorce can become messy if handled poorly. Here are some tips to avoid headaches and chart a course toward win-win resolutions:
- Know your priorities. What’s most important to you? If you have children, their well-being tops the list for you and your spouse. Though you may disagree on the details, finding that common ground is critical for reaching a compromise.
- Pick your battles. Once you know your priorities, you can make intentional decisions about what to hold onto versus what to let go.
- Be open-minded. The best outcomes in divorce cases often stem from a creative approach. By keeping an open mind and being willing to rethink your expectations, you have a better chance of reaching a result that works for everyone.
- Focus on the future. It’s easy to get stuck in the whirlwind of emotions that surround divorce, especially if the circumstances leading up to divorce involved betrayal or bitterness. The divorce process isn’t an avenue for punishing your ex or gripping onto grudges. Instead of dwelling on the ways your ex has wronged you, focus on what you want for the future – and what it takes to get there.
- Work with an attorney you trust. A do-it-yourself divorce is a recipe for disaster. By working with an attorney – even in a seemingly simple divorce case – you can avoid pitfalls that would lead to huge headaches down the road. Choosing an attorney is a big decision, so take the time to find someone you trust.
Divorce is rarely a walk in the park, but with these tips, you can hopefully avoid the financial and emotional hurdles that go along with a litigation marathon.
