Divorce is never easy, but the decisions that you make at the start of the process could lead to either more protracted and difficult proceedings or a simpler, more streamlined process. How you interact with your ex and the goals you set will impact how the divorce unfolds.
Divorce is not a time to seek emotional vindication for the perceived slights that occurred during your marriage. Instead, it is a time to focus on practical solutions for real-world problems. Taking certain steps early in the process can help you get through your divorce more quickly and with less stress.
Learn about what you can expect
Fantastical expectations are your enemy during a divorce. Thinking that the courts will award you the entire marital estate to punish your ex for infidelity or that you can get lifelong alimony despite being able to work will set you up for disappointment and unnecessary conflict.
Requesting unrealistic concessions will drag out the divorce process longer than it needs to last. Learning the Florida approach to property division and parental responsibilities will help you establish realistic expectations.
Find a healthy outlet for your emotions
There are numerous psychological tools, ranging from fantasizing about the future to meditation, that can help you cope with the stress of divorce. You may want to explore some of those tools and also resources that can help you process your emotions. Support groups, individual counseling or even a self-help book could help you find the right method to process your feelings so that they don’t flare up during the divorce.
Aim to cooperate rather than to fight
Divorce will become far more stressful and expensive if you have to litigate everything in court. Not only will you have to pay for more time with your attorneys, but you will have to pay for the time in the court as well.
The more matters you attempt to resolve through court hearings, the longer the divorce will last and the more it will cost you. Cooperating with your ex through collaborative law, negotiations or divorce mediation can help you streamline the court proceedings and minimize the emotional stress involved in the process.
Taking a conscious approach to your upcoming divorce may help you focus on long-term goals rather than on your short-term unhappiness.