The decision to divorce your spouse is going to come with many challenges, regardless of the circumstances. However, there are people, including professionals as well as family and friends, who can make the experience less stressful. There are also steps people should take throughout the process to make sure their best interests are protected. The team from Divorce Options San Diego—the experts in San Diego divorce mediation who offer a compassion-based alternative to expensive, time-consuming divorce litigation—offer this advice about some of the basic things everyone should do when going through a divorce.
1. Find the Best Option
If you prefer to work things out with your estranged spouse, mediation is often the best choice. With mediation, you can create an amicable agreement about how to divide your property, personal belongings, and finances. Mediation is often less stressful than litigation. Take time to research the different divorce options and choose the process that’s best for your family.
2. Gather Support
You’re never alone in the divorce process, regardless of how empty you may feel. It’s essential to gather as much support from family and friends as possible to help you manage some of the negative emotions you’re experiencing. Managing your feelings could prevent adverse reactions and keep the process civil, for your benefit and for the sake of any children who may be involved.
3. Keep an Open Mind
Don’t play the blame game when going through a divorce, and be open to criticism. Objective opinions could be therapeutic and help you prevent negative habits from continuing in the future, both in your personal and professional relationships. Keep in mind both you and your spouse have made mistakes, but focusing on the negatives could prevent you from taking constructive action and handling your affairs in the best way.
4. Remain Respectful
Posting hateful things on social media or sending disrespectful messages and emails to an estranged spouse could harm the divorce process. Remember what you say and do in public can be used against you during the mediation process or court hearings. Remain respectful to all parties involved in the process, even if that means no interactions outside of mediation, whether via verbal or written communication.
5. Stay Focused
Divorce is a decision that will affect you for years to come. Therefore, you need to stay focused and avoid making rash decisions. No one wins during the divorce process, including children. However, having an amicable divorce could help you and your spouse reach an agreement you both believe is fair and beneficial for all parties involved.
6. Consult with a Mediator
During the divorce process, legal forms must be submitted within a specific time frame and assessments of earnings and expenses must be prepared, which can be challenging, especially if you don’t have legal experience. It’s a good idea to consult with a professional mediator who can work in your best interests and make sure your rights are always protected.
If you want an alternative to hiring lawyers and going through a drawn-out, acrimonious process, turn to Divorce Options San Diego. As San Diego divorce mediators, we offer a one-stop shop approach for couples who are looking for a way to dissolve their marriages amicably and with mutual respect. We can handle every aspect of your divorce for you, so there won’t be a need to hire expensive attorneys. To learn more about our revolutionary approach to divorce, give us a call today at (858) 281-2628.
