How To Take A Practical Approach To Divorce
The divorce process can be challenging even if both former partners are trying to handle the situation constructively. Regardless of how contentious the process may be, it's wise to take a practical approach. Here are four ways a divorce lawyer will tell you to get through it.
Bring a Professional Attitude
Divorce isn't about what happened. It's about what happens next. Someone who gets invested in drawn-out legal battles is just planning to spend more money on a divorce attorney than they need to. Also, the divorce lawyer usually isn't interested in the extra billing because there are plenty more cases to process and bill, and the simple and painless ones tend to be the moneymakers.
Center yourself emotionally and bring a professional attitude to the proceedings. If your ex is inclined to fight, ask your divorce attorney to be your shield. When the ex wants to blow up about something, direct all their concerns to counsel. If the ex can't behave, then end the conversation there.
Don't Fight Over Non-Fights
This doesn't presume hostility. It's absolutely possible to end up in a non-fight simply by misinterpreting the letter of the law. For example, someone might be worried that their ex is hiding assets only to discover those assets aren't marital property. It's better to figure that out before you sue for divorce than after you're well into the process.
Assess Assets and Liabilities
Breaking up the marital unit means breaking up properties, accounts, and debts. You'll handle this much more practically if you have a detailed understanding of what you and your ex owned together as a couple. The same goes for the debts held in common.
Similarly, a detailed list of assets and liabilities provides the basis for horse-trading. If you want the house and they want a sports car, maybe that's the start of a deal.
Don't be afraid to offer up things you don't care about to get stuff that matters. Also, think very hard about the basics you'll need for post-marriage like, such as clothing, money, transportation, and a place to live.
Consume the Divorce One Bite at a Time
Especially if you're dealing with several major issues, it's wise to not try to hold it all in your head at once. A divorce lawyer doesn't want to jump from talking about child custody, for example, while they're still discussing how to retire the couple's credit card debt. Take it one bite at a time, and soon enough, you'll be done.
Contact a divorce lawyer near you to learn more.