How to Make the Divorce Process Go as Smoothly as Possible

Everyone knows that the divorce rate in the US is extremely high. But it has dropped by 18% from 2008 to 2016, mainly due to millennials.

However, divorces are still relatively common. The key to making a divorce work is to have a strategy for making it go smoothly. And in most cases, it can.

Here are some tips for making the process run with a minimal amount of friction if you’re about to go through a divorce.

Try to Maintain Mutual Respect

The first step is to go into divorce proceedings with mutual respect. This might be hard because it’s an extremely emotional time, but divorces get nasty and proceedings are drawn out when there’s no respect between both parties.

You don’t have to like your ex-spouse, but equally you shouldn’t go in with the mindset of damaging the other party as much as possible.

How are Financial Assets Divided?

The average cost of a divorce in the US is $15,500, which may seem like a high number. But this number is also dragged upwards because of high net worth divorcees.

The most common area of disagreement is with the finances. If you have joint accounts, real estate, and children it can get complicated.

The key to dealing with financial assets is to be reasonable. Try to consider the situation from your ex’s perspective. And consider their needs.

Respond Quickly

Divorce is always stressful. But divorce cases get even more stressful when they last for years. An uncontested divorce takes between three and six months on average. Contested divorces can last forever.

Manage your time wisely for the good of both of you. Respond to enquiries promptly and provide as much information as possible.

Believe it or not, just by doing this you can speed the divorce along by months.

Choose the Right Divorce Attorney

Choosing the right family lawyer is crucial. You want an experienced lawyer who can work with both parties without prejudice.

The right mindset of any divorce attorney is to speed the divorce through and to keep both parties happy. Make sure you do your research and speak to the attorney before deciding to hire them.

Have Children? Put Them First

Divorce is most damaging to children. Seeing their parents battling it out causes trauma that can cause a lot of ill feelings for years to come.

Work together with the intention of putting the children first. Like with the division of financial assets, this is one of the main causes of drawn out divorces.

Regardless of your feelings for each other, plan to put the needs of the children first.

Last Word – Will a Divorce Always Run Smoothly?

It takes two to make a divorce run smoothly. If your ex-spouse doesn’t respond in good time, wants to fight over everything, and doesn’t want to see the big picture then divorces can take time.

The best thing you can do is to hire an experienced lawyer and to go into the situation with the right intentions.

Are you currently preparing to hire a lawyer to help with your divorce proceedings?