Traditionally, divorce has been viewed as an adversarial process where each spouse is pitted against one another. However, the truth is that this does not benefit anyone. Generally, the more that conflict can be reduced between spouses, the better the outcome for both parties in the divorce.
Of course, reducing conflict may not be easy, especially if there were arguments during the marriage, but it is possible. Outlined below are a few things to keep in mind.
Take a “business-like” approach
Divorce is a legal process and the court generally doesn’t want to get involved in personal squabbles, unless these impact the legal rights of either spouse. Many divorcing couples find it useful to approach the divorce more like a business negotiation. The decisions made need to be rational, and the conversations need to be constructive and focused. Arguments of the past will not add anything positive to divorce negotiations, so it is best to leave them in the past.
Set your priorities
The reality is that nobody gets everything they want during a divorce. There are some things that need to be prioritized and some things that can be let go. For example, is there an asset that you really want to fight for, such as the family home? Or, could you let it go and set yourself up in a new place post-divorce? You shouldn’t sacrifice any of your rights, but it is important to think carefully about what is most important to you.
You don’t need to go through a divorce on your own. The more legal guidance and information you have at your disposal, the less chance that your divorce will be full of conflict.
