Sometimes, even with the best intentions, a divorce can ‘go bad’. Acrimony and bitterness can creep in, and before you know it you are involved in lengthy, expensive and stressful contested court proceedings. Allegations may fly, there may be recriminations and bad feelings, which can leave scars that may never really heal.
Here are our five top tips for dealing with such a scenario.
1. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, get the best legal advice you can. A good lawyer will, for example, advise against unnecessarily contesting divorce proceedings, and will advise as to what is a reasonable settlement, thereby ensuring you do not waste time, effort and money pursuing unrealistic expectations. Family Law Cafe can help you find the advice you need.
2. Stay calm, and don’t let your emotions get the better of you. It is all too easy to allow your emotions to cloud your judgement, especially if you are being goaded by the other party. But this is a trap that too many people fall into. No good will come of following your emotions – as difficult as it may be, you must put them to one side.
3. Never stop trying to resolve matters by agreement. If you can’t reach an agreement with the other party, then the court will eventually decide the matter. However, you would be surprised what cases are settled. Often, a case that appears to have no prospect whatsoever of reaching settlement is agreed, saving the parties the stress, time and expense of a contested hearing.
4. Be prepared for the long haul. It may seem that there is no end in sight to the proceedings, but they will end. Do not give up. Do not be tempted to settle on the other party’s terms, just to bring the matter to an early conclusion.
5. Lastly, follow your lawyer’s advice! It may sound obvious, but sometimes it can be difficult to accept that the path you are being directed down by your lawyer is the best one. It is easy to think you know best, but your judgement may be clouded by your feelings. A good lawyer will give you the best advice, without fear or favour.
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Family Law Cafe offers a modern, agile and compassionate approach to family law, giving you a helping hand when you need it and guiding you through the complexities of this difficult and stressful area.
Photo by Ryan Johns on Unsplash.