Let’s face it: An “easy divorce” is often seen as a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow — hard to come by. But that doesn’t have to be the case. A divorce can be as difficult or as easy as you make it, even if your ex is determined to cause problems.
That’s because you control more than you think. When you are in control of your own life, you can set the tone for it, including the challenges you must overcome. Though no divorce will ever be easy per se, and there will always be more pleasant ways to spend your time, you can make your Bristol County divorce easier with the following tips.
When going through a divorce, you will face countless decisions, some more significant than others, but decisions nonetheless. You will need a clear head to make these decisions so they are informed, based on logic and not emotion, and ones you won’t look back on with regret.
So, how can you have a clear head, even amid chaos? Focus on the self-care basics: mental health, clean eating, sleep, and exercise. The latter three basics, when honored, also promote mental health. So, eat a balanced meal filled with nutrient-dense food, drink a lot of water, get a good night’s rest, and move your body every day, preferably out in nature.
Further support your mental health with the assistance of a mental health professional, preferably one who has experience counseling those going through a divorce. This way, your Bristol County divorce lawyer can focus on your case while your emotional needs are met.
Unless you were involved in a very short-term marriage and have no children, you should talk to a reliable divorce attorney at the outset of your divorce so they can inform you of what may lie ahead and help you plan and set goals. Longer marriages with children typically involve a lengthy list of issues needing attention. The sooner you begin to consider those, the better prepared you will be for decision-making when the time comes.
After consulting with a Massachusetts divorce attorney, you can decide whether you need representation. Most people benefit from it. Going into negotiations without advice from a reliable professional can put you in a problematic situation that may be hard to undo while creating other sticky situations. You want to preserve as many of your rights as possible, and an experienced divorce attorney can help you do that.
Gather as much financial information as possible, especially your income, asset, and debt numbers for the last three years. Doing so will help your Bristol County attorney evaluate your case more efficiently and advise you accordingly.
You may realize you don’t have access to all the documents you need. Remain calm for the time being. Your divorce attorney can request the information you are missing during the discovery phase of the divorce process.
As you work through your case, stay focused on your goals and what’s important. Staying focused is especially critical if you have children you need to care for physically and emotionally.
Many divorcing individuals tend to get sidetracked by issues with little long-term significance because they become easily caught up in emotions. Keep your eye on the ball, and remember, the more stoic and focused you remain, the more smoothly your case will generally proceed.
If you have children, separate your feelings for your spouse from what is in the children’s best interest. This means staying focused on your kids — their schedules, school and homework, physical and mental health, and anything that shields them from controversy.
Children have an uncanny way of internalizing events, situations, and conversations that have nothing to do with them. Moreover, when you insult their other parent, children see themselves. Calling their other parent names makes children feel bad.
Do your best to refrain from fighting with your ex in front of your children or even when you think they are not in earshot. Even if they are somewhere else, they can feel your energy.
If you are working with an attorney, be responsive and cooperative. As good as your lawyer is, they will be even better with you as a teammate.
Many people find it painful to dig into financial information and stick their heads in the sand rather than face difficult situations head-on. This can be a costly mistake. When you do not respond to your divorce attorney promptly, you risk holding up your case and increasing your costs.
In your search for divorce attorneys, you will inevitably meet those who enjoy ratcheting up the stress instead of creating a calm environment for you and everyone else involved. A stressful divorce won’t serve you or your family in more ways than one.
A divorce attorney who promotes positive co-parenting and an amicable split understands that divorce is a long game and that you are preparing for the divorce process and your life after divorce. Equally as important, a calm lawyer can still be a strong lawyer who advocates from a position of strength on your behalf.
At Farias Family Law, we believe in creating positive environments for our clients and their families. We understand that every Bristol County divorce is as unique as the people who go through it and, therefore, take a personalized approach to every case. We are here to help and guide you through this transition with ease. Call our Fall River office today.
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