Going through a divorce can be a complicated time. And this can intensify if you are not ready. You should be prepared for the process to avoid costly mistakes, if at all possible.
By asking yourself the following questions in advance of filing for divorce, you can clarify some important concerns in ways that may ultimately affect the outcome of the process in significant ways.
Are you sure you want a divorce?
You should be sure you want a divorce before initiating a conversation. You don’t want to tell your spouse you want a divorce in the middle of an argument, and then change your mind later or regret dissolving the marriage. Objectively analyzing issues, such as if there is a way to save the marriage, your biggest fear of ending the relationship and your intention for wanting the divorce, can help know if you are truly ready for a divorce.
Can you handle the consequences of divorce?
Divorce impacts different aspects of life, including lifestyle, mental health, children, relationships and so on. You should list the potential effects of your divorce and ways to manage them, be it spending more time with loved ones, going to therapy, taking your children to therapy or joining a local support group. If you can’t accept the potential impacts of dissolving your marriage or don’t want to make changes in your life, you may not be ready for divorce yet.
What type of divorce should you pursue?
If you and your spouse can communicate and agree on crucial matters, you can navigate an uncontested divorce. But if this is impossible, you will have a contested divorce. You have different options at your disposal – the most suitable one will depend on the ins and outs of your case.
It’s crucial to be ready for and well-informed about divorce before starting the process. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to help you achieve this aim.