While no divorce can ever be said to be “perfect,” there are ways to make it easier. To achieve a healthy divorce, there are a few things that you can do. Here are a few of them.
Tips For a Healthy Divorce
1. Ask Yourself If Divorce Is Best For You
Divorce requires serious contemplation because of the lifetime of consequences that come with it. If your marriage is going through a rough patch, then you may be reacting emotionally. You may not be ready for a divorce. This is why you should ask yourself if it in your best interest before you make any drastic decisions. Once you know that splitting up is the best option, you can start taking the right steps to achieve a healthy divorce.
2. Speak to A Family Law Attorney
If you believe that you are ready to be a single person and you want to raise your children separately from your spouse, then you’ll definitely need to speak with a family attorney who can advise you on your rights and obligations. With years of experience, they know how to handle amicable and difficult cases alike.
3. In Your Own State
The laws in each state are different regarding how divorces are handled. Some states are “no-fault” divorce states, which means that the spouse petitioning to file for divorce does not have to prove that the other spouse did anything wrong. Other laws regarding child custody also vary, so speaking to a family attorney such as Kaufman Steinberg, LLP in California is your best choice if you’re concerned about your kids.
4. Begin Gathering Documents
Once you know without any doubt that you want to get a divorce, you will to find and gather the following documents:
- Paycheck stubs
- Bank account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Life, auto, and other types of insurance policies
- Credit card statements
- Tax returns
5. Change Your Passwords
You and your spouse may have used the same computers and know the code to get into each other’s phones. In fact, you may have known or been able to guess each other’s passwords. Now is the time to make sure that your spouse no longer has access to those private accounts.
6. Get Support
There are many resources for divorcees who need help moving forward. You may be able to find a support group specific to men, women, or other groups you identify with (single parents, etc.).
7. Handle This With Dignity And Grace
No matter how angry you are or how difficult it may seem, resist the urge to post nasty things about your soon-to-be ex-spouse on social media. You should also be sure not to bad-mouth your ex to your kids or family, even if they are bad-mouthing you or trying to tarnish your name. How you respond will affect you and your children for many years.
8. Move
Many divorcees find themselves dwelling in the past when they live in the same space they did with their ex-spouse. If you have the means and the ability, moving to a different neighborhood and changing up your space may be a great way for you to start moving forward. A fresh start and new surroundings can help a person and child heal.
9. Work As A Parental Team
Be prepared to have a difficult discussion with your kids about your divorce. Answer their questions and be a solid team parental unit for them. Writing a parenting plan with your kids’ best interests as the central focus will help you move forward and co-parent.
10. Don’t Try To Be Friends Too Soon
You both will process and react to the divorce differently. You need a safe physical and emotional distance to do your healing and to carry on. Set boundaries and establish a parenting plan so that you can keep a respectful distance during and immediately after your divorce.
Michael Davis is the Content Director of Miami’s On the Map Marketing, Inc. Michael has made it his mission to provide high-level, factual, and error-free content that emphasizes the best SEO practices and helps his company’s clients convert sales. When he’s not editing SEO content, Michael writes industry-specific content for various publications. www.onthemapmarketing.com
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