Emotions run high during divorce. You and your spouse may agree on ending your marriage, yet that does not mean neither of you feel anger, frustration, sadness, or resentment. You may have numerous positive and negative feelings about the situation and each other. When the bad seems to outweigh the good, you can fall into a contentious relationship. However, there are ways to avoid this. It is possible to keep your divorce amicable while protecting your rights.
Maintaining an Amicable Relationship During a Divorce
Keeping up an amicable relationship with your spouse during a divorce is difficult. However, it is possible to remain civil by:
- Putting your children first: If you have children with your spouse, putting them first can be a consistent reminder to be calm and polite. Maintaining an amicable relationship with their mother or father is best for them. It avoids putting them in awkward situations or harming their important relationship.
- Not allowing your emotions to rule your words and actions: You should acknowledge your feelings, yet do not let them dictate your words and actions. The best thing for you and the legal process is to be polite toward your spouse, his or her family, and his or her attorney. If your spouse says or does something that angers you, it is up to you to find a way to respond politely or not at all.
- Practicing civility: It may sound silly to practice how to react or respond to your spouse. However, it can make a dramatic difference. If you know there are things your spouse tends to do or say to set you off, practice how you can remain calm and respond civilly. You may want to practice appropriate ways to end conversations that upset you.
- Working with an attorney: If you have never worked with a family law attorney before, you may be worried a lawyer could make your divorce more contentious. However, an experienced and effective divorce attorney should not make the situation more difficult or heated. I am there to provide calm and objective advice. I can also be a means of communication between you and your spouse’s attorney if things become difficult.
- Trying mediation: If you and your spouse are on good terms and want to avoid the courtroom as much as possible, speak with me about mediation. During mediation, you and your spouse have the opportunity to work out the major issues while addressing your individual concerns and needs. Through mediation, you can customize the end of your marriage instead of relying on the court’s standardized approach to property division, spousal maintenance, parenting responsibilities, parenting time, and child support.
Michael understands that the goal is to be amicable, but realizes this isn’t always achievable. Many divorces can be very contentions and if it isn’t amicable, Michael is very good at finding resolutions in the courtroom.
Contact my Office for Legal Advice
If you are moving forward with a divorce contact me at my office today at (312) 621-5234 to schedule a consultation. I am happy to discuss your situation, offer advice on how to remain civil, and discuss the prospect of mediation.
