Steps to Help the Divorce Process Along
Going through a divorce is never easy, even if you are the one who wants out of the marriage. There are steps you can take to help the legal divorce process go smoothly and with less acrimony between you and your soon-to-be former spouse. These steps will also help keep legal costs down.
- Provide the necessary documents and financial records that your attorney requests in a timely manner;
- Bring required documents to the law office or court hearings when your attorney asks you to do so;
- Make sure the records and documents are organized and easy to follow;
- Consider seeing a therapist to help deal with your feelings. Although a divorce is both emotional and devastating, focusing on anger and resentment not only affects your mental and physical health. It can also affect your divorce case. Also, blaming your spouse for the entire marriage breakup and not recognizing areas where you may have been at fault will only hamper your healing;
- Try not to surround yourself with family and friends who are biased and may fuel your feelings of anger;
- Make attempts to negotiate a settlement with your spouse before actually being ordered to do so by a judge. Filing motion after motion to have the court decide every issue that comes up is not something that judges like seeing in their already crowded courtrooms; and
- As difficult as dealing with your spouse may be, it is important to try to keep the lines of communication open, especially if you will be co-parenting together. Being able to communicate with each other is also important as issues come up even after your divorce is final.
If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, there are several issues that may need negotiated, such as child custody and support, property and asset division, spousal support, and college expenses. Contact an experienced Geneva family law attorney to discuss your options and needs.
