There’s nothing easy about divorce. Even if you’re ready to be separated from your spouse, it’s a stressful and sad time. Somewhere along the line, you really cared about your partner, which means there are emotions tied to this division.
In order to make sure you don’t do anything you’ll regret, follow these responsible tips:
1. Put the Children First
If there are children involved in a divorce, they must be the first priority. This is especially true when it comes to young children and teenagers who are still forming their opinions on relationships, trust, and stability. Mishandling your divorce can leave them with relational scars that could come back in the future. Keep all conflict, legal talk, and heated discussions behind closed doors and keep disruptions out of their daily routines.
2. Don’t Get Greedy
“Some lawyers are more than happy to punish your ex-partner on your behalf, but that will upset your kids and cost a lot of money,” says the Micklin Law Group, an experienced family and divorce law firm in New Jersey. Don’t try to get more than your fair share of the settlement. It’s much better if the divorce is cordial – especially when it comes to interacting with your ex-partner in regards to your children.
3. Be Careful Who You Listen To
“Not all divorce advice should be treated equally,” divorce attorney James Sexton says. “People mean well and believe that offering you advice on how to navigate your divorce is a way to offer support. But you need to be careful and remember that not all advice is created equal.” In other words, be very careful who you listen to. Just because your best friend’s neighbor has been through a divorce doesn’t mean they know what’s best for you.
4. Work Together to Mitigate Your Tax Burden
In a divorce, spouses are typically pitted against each other on many fronts. However, there is always one area where they can, and should, come together. We’re talking about taxes and the IRS, of course. Work closely with a tax accountant or financial planner so you can both minimize the total amount of taxes you have to pay after the divorce.
Depending on the amount of money at stake, simple tweaks and adjustments can sometimes represent hundreds of thousands of dollars.
5. Avoid Dating Until After the Divorce is Finalized
Many divorces are the result of someone cheating, or even both spouses going separate ways to be with other partners, but it’s important that you cut off any relationships until after the divorce is finalized. Getting caught with someone else – whether in public or private – can greatly damage your chances of getting what you want in the divorce proceedings. The situation may seem innocent, but a good divorce lawyer will use these actions against you.
6. Hire the Right Attorney
Finally, it’s important that you hire the absolute best attorney you can afford. The difference between an average attorney and a great one can mean the difference between seeing your kids twice a month and having joint custody, or even the difference between keeping a large portion of your assets versus splitting them down the middle. Don’t try to be frugal when it comes to hiring a divorce lawyer.
Have a Responsible Divorce
Divorce isn’t easy, but there are ways to make it less disastrous than it could be. As hard as it may be, try to put emotions aside and work with your ex-partner to make the split as amicable as possible. The more you’re able to work together, the brighter your future will be.
