Divorce is a time of significant change. You must say goodbye to one lifestyle and prepare for a new one with its unique challenges. Because this change is life-altering, it is no surprise that many divorces are contentious, fraught with emotion and arguments. As Minnesota divorce attorneys, we have seen what should be simple divorces turn into long, drawn-out battles. Spouses often fight over child custody, child support, alimony, the dog, the house, even who gets to keep a certain t.v.
If you are going through a divorce, know that there are solutions to every divorce disagreement, and these solutions often benefit both parties. Yet, to get to these solutions, both parties must be able to think logically and keep their emotions from costing them time and money.
Here are some steps you can take to help keep your sanity during your Minnesota divorce:
- Anticipate that your life will change, as will your children’s. Take steps to prepare for that change now.
- Accept that you will be emotional throughout the process and that it is okay to have feelings of loss. Know that these feelings will get better over time.
- Understand that your spouse may see things differently than you. For example, men are more likely to fight for the best possible deal for themselves while women see property division as an indication of self-worth.
- Try to keep your children out of the divorce. Of course, you may want to ask their opinion about child custody, but the less the divorce stress reaches them, the better.
If you believe that you and your spouse will be able to work together to come to agreements on all of the issues in your divorce, you may also want to consider collaborative divorce. Minnesota collaborative divorce is an alternative dispute resolution process that is less contentious than the trial process and helps parties work together to make effective decisions about their divorce.
Whether you are considering collaborative divorce or you want a more traditional divorce, an experienced Minnesota divorce lawyer can help.
Source: Huff Post Divorce, “10 Tips for a Sane Divorce: Five for You, Five for Me,” Micki McWade, Nov. 28, 2011.
