5 tips for an amicable divorce

Divorce is a highly emotional and stressful experience. Tempers can flare, and things can become incredibly complicated very quickly. The collaborative process gives couples the opportunity to achieve an amicable divorce. Here are 5 tips to help you achieve an amicable divorce.

1. Open Lines of Communication

Divorce is hard and keeping an open line of communication is one of the best ways to keep your divorce amicable. Maintaining a focus on clear and concise communication will help to keep misunderstandings and points of conflict to a minimum.

The collaborative divorce process is based on a foundation of honest and effective communication. This process can help avoid the adversarial environment associated with a traditional divorce. Working with a team of collaborative divorce professionals helps to provide soon-to-be-ex spouses the tools they need to communicate in a healthy, effective manner. This increases the odds of achieving post-divorce goals.

2. Leave the Kids Out of It

If you have children, it’s important to make sure they still come first. Maintain a focus on consistency when it comes to your kids. Work with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse to create a co-parenting plan that works for everyone. Regardless of the reasons for divorce, emotions should be set aside in order to co-parent effectively both during and after divorce.

3. Full Disclosure When It Comes to Finances

The quickest way to derail your divorce is by hiding or under-reporting your assets and income. The success of the collaborative divorce process relies on honest and full disclosure of information regarding finances. This can include:

• Assets
• Income
• Debt
• Bank Accounts
• Tax Returns
• Retirement Accounts
• Investments
• Business Holding
• And More

Both parties will need to make a commitment to provide full disclosure during this process in order to divorce peacefully. The collaborative process can provide a variety of resources to help couples work together to achieve an amicable divorce. This can include access to industry professionals including financial advisors and other specialists.

4. No Secrets Between You and Your Attorney

While relatives, friends, and co-workers may have the best intentions, they may not always give the best advice. Trust in the relationship between yourself and your attorney. It’s important to provide them the information they need in order to help you achieve your desired goals both during and after divorce. It is never a good idea to withhold or falsify information with your attorney.

5. Focus on the Future

Before you get side-railed by insignificant issues, take the time to figure out what’s most important to you in the bigger picture. Get a clear understanding of your wants and needs — and what’s non-negotiable. This gives you a much better chance of communicating your post-divorce expectations and goals.

The collaborative divorce process can help you better understand your future needs and the best way to reach your goals. By providing a respectful, neutral environment, negotiations can take place in a much more peaceful and focused manner. This can better help you achieve an amicable divorce.

Find the Right Professional for Your Collaborative Divorce in Arizona

We know how stressful and emotionally-charged divorce can be. At Ogborne Law, we understand how easy it can be to lose sight of what’s most important during divorce. As a collaborative divorce professional, we can help guide you through this difficult and complex process, helping you to achieve an amicable divorce.

If you are ready to divorce or would like to know more about the collaborative process and why it may be right for you, contact us today.