Many consider marriage a lifelong commitment but sometimes it’s better to separate than to stay together. A toxic home environment and a crumbling relationship can take their toll on health and lifestyle, which is why people choose to separate. This can be a very stressful affair, especially for couples separating on poor terms. At Daniel Cooper, we believe an amicable settlement is the easiest way to handle separation. Here are some tips that can help:
- Be professional
This might sound strange but it can help the negotiation process tremendously. Treat your partner with professional courtesy by replying to emails on time, being polite during conversations, answering calls or calling back at reasonable times, etc. Don’t badmouth them, meet them with hostile intentions, or deliberately delay negotiations. Divorce is a harrowing process for all involved, creating obstacles will only make negotiations more difficult. Being professional and straightforward in communication will help make negotiations go smoothly.
- Don’t use children as tools
As parents, your first priority is to protect children and their interests. Many divorcing couples are tempted to use children as tools, trying to set them against the other parent. That doesn’t just harm the divorce proceedings but also compromises the child’s well-being. Discuss custody arrangement well before the divorce is finalized and keep the child’s interest in mind. The separation will be very hard on them so parents need to do their level best to reduce the impact.
- Don’t make big and impulsive changes
Unless there’s a significant risk to your wellbeing, don’t move away from your shared home. Don’t spend money on big expenses or make decisions that affect the entire family without consulting your spouse. This can negatively affect negotiations and add more strain to your relationship. Discuss all big changes with your spouse before making them. You can have a family lawyer present for this discussion or carry it out in a comfortable home environment. If you believe your safety or the safety of your children is at risk, seek legal advice immediately.
- Don’t pay the blame game
It’s tempting to toss blame around but that won’t help the negotiation process. Finger-pointing will create a hostile environment, which only hampers the negotiations. Agree to a no-fault divorce and focus on division of assets instead of blame. It’s best to keep personal problems away from the negotiations. Arguments will happen despite your best intentions to avoid them. It’s important to recognize when you’re slipping into one and pull away from the meeting before it deteriorates further. Stopping negotiations is better than slipping into an argument.
- Hire a legal professional
A family lawyer knows how to handle divorce negotiations. They will explain the points you need to discuss, mitigate arguments, offer unbiased advice, etc. They will also safeguard your interests in negotiations and ensure you’re not taken advantage of. This support can help keep divorce proceedings amicable. They will explain all legal protections and obligations to help ensure there are no problems down the line.
You don’t have to endure a harrowing divorce. Proper legal advice may lead to an amicable divorce settlement, which will put you on the path to recovery from the separation. Long contentious divorces can be difficult for everyone involved so it’s a good idea to find a solution to it. This might take some time, patience, and restraint, but the end results of an amicable separation are worth the effort.
