Every case I see is so different. That said, there are certain things that I believe everyone can do to give them the best chance of success as they navigate their divorce.
Here are my top ten tips:
- Be organized. I could probably do an entire top ten on its own about this (maybe for my next blog post). It’s that important. I cannot overstate the importance of your ability to organize your thoughts, documents, priorities, assets, schedule, etc. throughout this process. For example, go into your first meeting with your attorney with a detailed list of your assets and timeline of relevant events to start things off efficiently.
- Be timely. The divorce process requires adherence to many different deadlines. Do not save things for last minute so that deadlines get missed or need to be pushed back. We understand that life happens, but missing deadlines or completing tasks late can have a huge negative impact on your case.
- Ask questions. This process is new to most people. The terminology can be foreign and confusing. We do our best to explain things in simple terms, but even so, it can be hard to understand. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, including about where cost savings can be found.
- Be a good listener. Listen to the answers to your questions. Take advice. If you don’t understand the advice, ask for clarification. Success requires the relationship between you and your attorney to be cooperative and collaborative. That requires respect and a functional “give and take” communication.
- Know when to compromise. Understand the difference between a non-negotiable need and what is a “nice-to-have” want. Communicate these “needs” and “wants” to your attorney. You will almost certainly not get everything you want. Prioritize your wants, so that when the time comes, decisions can be made.
- Be patient. This process often takes a year or more. Understand that there are court-mandated timelines and only so many court resources to go around. If we cannot settle, then that means we are stuck with the court’s availability to hear the case.
- Think long term. Success requires a sustainable You will need to live with the outcome of your divorce and do not want to be back in court dealing with any related issues ever again. Take an honest look at your future post-divorce so that you do not unwittingly trade short-term happiness/relief at the expense of long-term stability.
- Use cost-benefit analysis. Understand that aggressive tactics also typically require higher costs. The benefits of an aggressive approach are not always realized, but the higher costs almost always are. Utilize objective analysis to weigh the potential benefits against the costs whenever possible.
- Take care of your family. Don’t let the divorce process make you lose sight of what is most important. Kids are unfortunately caught in the middle of divorce. It is difficult enough to deal with the changes that come with divorce. Don’t compound the damage by letting the divorce negatively impact your parenting.
- Don’t go out for revenge. There is probably nothing the legal system can do to make you feel like your spouse got what they deserved. This is not what the legal system is good for. Focus on what you deserve under the law rather than any sort of punishment or retaliation.
It is crucial that you have an experienced lawyer in your corner who will deliver ethical, honorable, and highly skilled representation to you. Our attorneys are skilled in advising clients on matters such as the grounds for divorce (adultery, abandonment, etc.), child custody and visitation, spousal support and child support, and the division of marital property.
To learn how our team can help you, contact WhitbeckBeglis by calling 800-516-3964 or emailing clientservices@wblaws.com.
To learn more about divorce, visit our Divorce Law page.