Preparing Personally for Divorce

Divorces are rarely, if ever, simple. They take time and money. They change your life in ways you do not expect. All you can do to endure the process and come out of it with a positive future is to be as prepared as possible, both in terms of the specific details, and general, personal readiness.

Prepare for any outcome.

Because divorce is not usually simple, it can have results that you don’t expect, or even want. When it comes to being ready, you must be aware of this. Be flexible in your negotiations because there are no certainties; it is never guaranteed that you will get what you want. So, have a backup plan. Have additional offers in case your first ones are rejected. It is common for proceedings to go on longer than planned, or hoped because spouses find themselves having to negotiate more than they would like—more than they planned. It is always best to enter into a divorce ready for any possible conclusion; your attorney can tell you what those outcomes may be.

Consider mediation.

There are a few ways to proceed with a divorce. Ultimately, if it’s possible, keeping things peaceful and simple will save you time, stress, and money. Mediation can be that peaceful resolution. You can have a third party help you resolve any outstanding disagreements, and help you stay out of court. Speak with your attorney about mediation, and other ways to keep things simple.

Don’t make any decisions or sign anything without speaking to your attorney.
 
There may come a moment when you’re offered a deal, or something that seems legal and reasonable. If you still have a positive relationship with your spouse, you may believe that their offer is trustworthy, and he or she may, in fact, have good intentions. However, making any offer legal means it will be very hard to change later-impossible, in some cases. If the offer comes in legal language, drafted by your spouse’s attorney, there may be phrasing that makes details more complex than you initially think. Legal language is sometimes purposefully complicated; it’s easy to miss something. Your attorney should review anything before you sign it, no matter how small. Before you make any offers yourself, consult your lawyer. Even if the offer is make in private, between you and your spouse, and seems harmless, speak to your attorney, first.

Don’t believe everything you hear about others’ experiences.
Divorce happens often enough for there to be similarities between cases. Things can sometimes turn bad, and be hurtful and damaging to everyone involved. Because of this, you may hear horror stories about others’ divorces. They may be entirely true. You may be given advice or told directly to do something specific. While their intentions may be good, it is best if you consult with your attorney. If you’re concerned that something of which you’ve heard could happen, do ask your attorney. However, never make assumptions based upon others’ circumstances.

If you have any questions about preparing for your divorce in Florida, we can help. At Miller Law, we work to make divorce less stressful and more affordable.