Divorce is never an easy process and emotions are sure to be running high for both parties – the end of a marriage can, sadly, bring out the worst in people, and that’s a shame. However, it doesn’t have to be like that, and divorce doesn’t have to be a bitter battle; it’s possible, with the right approach, to have what you might call a friendly divorce, or at least friendlier than it might be otherwise. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you do exactly that.
Don’t Rush
One of the most important steps when it comes to having a friendlier divorce is not to rush either the decision or the process, no matter how much you might want to. If you take your time, you’ll be able to make better decisions (and remember, the choices you make are going to affect a number of people, including your children if you have any), and that’s vital. Plus, if you rush you’re not giving your emotions the time they need to settle, so it’s wise to take a step back and think things through before you proceed.
Start by taking some time to process the situation emotionally because that can help you look at the divorce with a clearer mind and with healthier goals. You’ll also be able to work out the best ways to communicate with your spouse if you take a little more time, and that can make the whole process an easier one.
Get A Good Lawyer
Having a competent and compassionate family lawyer to help you through your divorce is crucial – they’ll be able to help mediate any issues and they’ll keep the process going as smoothly as possible, which in turn means you’ll be less frustrated and angry, and that’s going to help keep things more amicable between you and your ex.
The best lawyer is one you feel comfortable with because you’ll be working closely together to get the divorce resolved – listen to their advice because they’ve seen all this before, so they’ll know the best options to help you.
Focus On Communication
Good communication is what’s really going to help turn a potentially nasty divorce into a friendlier one, so make sure you’re able to talk as openly and honestly as possible with your spouse and let them know what you need from them and what your ultimate goals are for the divorce and the aftermath. You’ll also need to listen to what they want in return; it’s all about compromise.
It might be hard, but try to communicate with as much understanding and empathy as possible – you’re both humans, after all, and no matter what the reason for the divorce, you need to deal with things like adults and move on. Any kind of dispute or argument is only going to prolong the process and make things harder.
Get Emotional Support
Even a friendly divorce can be hard to go through, so it’s vital to have an emotional support system in place so you know you’ve got someone to talk to and rant to if you need to. Friends, family, or even professionals like therapists and counselors can give you much-needed emotional support, and that means your feelings won’t get pent up inside.
Letting your emotions and feelings out is much healthier overall, and it means you can get through the divorce on friendlier terms because you’re not bottling up lots of anger, which can be disastrous.
