When you say I do at the alter and waltz off on your honeymoon, the thought of divorce will be the last thing that crosses your mind. However, when it’s suggested that 50% of marriages end in divorce, even the strongest of partnerships may come to a breaking point.
If communication has broken down or there has been infidelity that has ruined your relationship, it may be time to start divorce proceedings. You’ll want everything to be plain sailing no matter what has brought on the divorce. To ensure you go through the process and come out happy at the other end, here are seven steps to an amicable divorce.
Try Not to Blame
No matter who has filed for the divorce, you mustn’t start the blaming game. It can be easy for couples to blame one another for the failure of the marriage. However, this won’t do anyone any favors in the long run. Regardless of what factors have led up to the divorce, the time for blaming has passed. Instead, your only option now is to leave the past behind and think about the future.
If you let go of the past and understand that you can’t change anything, this will give you a great chance of divorcing amicably. Should you hold grudges, this will only heighten stress for both parties and could turn the divorce process very sour.
Think Positively
As well as not blaming each other for the divorce, retaining a positive mindset can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. It’s normal to go through all sorts of emotions during the divorce process. One day you may feel upbeat and optimistic, the next you could be crying into your pillow. However, the last thing you want to do is be angry and talk negatively about your ex-spouse.
All the built-up tension and frustration can hinder divorce proceedings, and you could end up with a settlement that doesn’t go in your favor. This means it’s wise to keep a positive mindset, which will lower stress and anxiety.
Have a Strong Support Network
When going through a divorce, you may feel like you’re on your own. You need to remember this isn’t the case. The chances are you’ve had a family member or friend go through the same thing, so having a strong support network around you is crucial. Knowing there are loved ones by your side every step of the way can take the weight off your shoulders.
If your ex-spouse isn’t playing ball, this will naturally increase stress and make the whole process more complicated. Therefore, having loved ones to lean on and vent to can be a godsend during this period. Whether you need advice or someone to let off steam to, make sure you keep socializing with your nearest and dearest.
Negotiate
For your divorce to run smoothly and amicably, you’ll need to negotiate with your ex-spouse about the terms of your divorce. If you have joint assets, this can quickly become complicated. It may be time to look into family lawyers who can help you with this. Family lawyers Houston like Fullenweider Wilhite are experts in divorce litigation. The team can give you professional advice on how to protect your financial interests. Fullenweider Wilhite also specializes in areas like contested and uncontested divorce.
No one likes to get down to the nitty-gritty of things, especially if you’ve both put your all into the marriage, but you’ll want a fair settlement, particularly if there are children involved. If you’re not happy with the initial settlement, you don’t have to accept it. Although this may lengthen proceedings, you don’t want to make any rash decisions that could leave you financially worse off.
Keep Communication Lines Open
If your separation was anything but amicable, the thought of communicating with your ex-spouse may fill you with dread. However, if you want everything to run smoothly, you may need to speak to them. For those who have children together, it will be hard to avoid them completely.
Sure, you can get a third party to do this for you, or only speak through your lawyer, but to keep everything above board, having a face-to-face chat may be for the best. Although the conversation may not exactly flow to begin with, if you’re both on the same page about the divorce and only want what’s best, keeping communication lines open will increase the likelihood of proceedings going to plan, and you’ll come out the other side feeling more positive.
Going through divorce proceedings can take its toll on anyone, both physically and emotionally. However, for things to run smoothly and to ensure you’re still the same person once everything is finalized, taking the steps above will help keep things amicable and allow you to move on and lead your best life.
