Four Tips for Starting the Divorce Process

Four Tips for Starting the Divorce Process

Divorce is a very personal, emotional process, but it is also a challenging legal matter that will directly affect your parental and financial rights. While no two divorces are alike, they all follow a similar trajectory and must address the same terms, and as such, there are some useful divorce tips that are universally helpful. If you are considering divorce or are already facing a divorce, it’s time to consult with an experienced Michigan divorce attorney. 

One: Know Your Own Mind

Threatening divorce or beginning the process before you’re certain that it’s the right choice for you is not only unnecessarily hurtful to your spouse but can also give them a leg up in terms of gathering their resources and preparing for what lies ahead. Using divorce as a weapon is an unkind practice that can backfire spectacularly. 

Two: Get Organized

The more legwork you do in relation to gathering and compiling your financial documentation ahead of time, the better prepared you’ll be to take on whatever comes your way. This will allow you to keep your divorce process moving effectively and efficiently forward, which can save you time and money in the long run.

Three: Put Your Children First

While there is no denying that divorce is hard on both parties involved, it’s even more challenging for the children – who generally aren’t able to process what’s happening and are far more likely to internalize things. Put your children first by letting all the following guide your actions

• Don’t communicate with your divorcing spouse through your children
• Don’t bad mouth your divorcing spouse in front of your children
• Carve time out of your regular schedule to engage in activities that you and your children enjoy together 
• Don’t use your children as pawns – by threatening to deny your divorcing spouse parenting time, for example
• Listen to your children and assure them that you and their other parent both love them and that you are both going to do everything you can to make the divorce process as easy on them as you possibly can
• To the degree that it’s possible to do so, come together with your divorcing spouse to present a united front to your children

Four: Consult with a Dedicated Divorce Attorney Early in the Process

Even a divorce that starts peaceably enough can turn ugly in the blink of an eye, and the emotional upheaval of even the most straightforward divorce can be enough to cloud your good judgment. Your seasoned divorce attorney will ensure that you understand the divorce process, that you make decisions that help protect your financial and parental rights along the way, and that your divorce proceeds forward as smoothly as possible. 

Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Michigan Divorce Attorney Today

The savvy divorce attorneys at Lucido & Manzella, P.C., in Clinton Township, Michigan, have the reserves of experience, legal insight, and resources to help protect your rights – in focused pursuit of favorable divorce terms. We are on your side and here to help, so please do not wait to contact us for more information today.