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Divorce is a life-altering process that can drive a wedge between couples, families, and friends. When two people decide to end their marriage, whether this is a shared decision or forced, a ripple effect can be felt throughout the household. If the couple agrees to the divorce and the terms that underscore it, the entire process may go much smoother than if there is conflict. Utilize these four tips to aid in getting through your divorce quickly and with less strife.

1. List the Points on Which You Both Agree

When two spouses can work through issues, it may help the process go faster. Listing the elements on which you agree. The topics which the court will want to see resolved before issuing a legal divorce ruling include:

  • Marital property – dividing anything collected during the marriage
  • Marital debt – dividing debt amassed during the marriage
  • Child support – payments from one parent to the other used to care for the children
  • Child custody – legal custody
  • Parenting plan – comprehensive agreement on how physical custody of the children is split

2. Concentrate on Compromise 

One thing you can do to prepare yourself for negotiating issues with your spouse is realize it is in everyone’s best interest to reach an amenable compromise. The more points you can agree to resolve outside of the court, the more control you maintain over your post-divorce life. Going through with a court action not only involves a lot of conflict between spouses, but it can force a judge to make decisions that will affect you and your family for many years to come.

3. Meet With an Attorney

A divorce lawyer is an integral piece of the process. While it may be tempting, each spouse should get their own representative. While you may agree on a resolution, it is a conflict of interest for one attorney to represent both spouses through a divorce proceeding. However, the more you and your spouse agree, the less work there will be for the lawyers.

4. Mediate Your Differences

While the dream scenario would have all issues resolved by mutual agreement, it may not always work out this way. You may reach an impasse that even your attorneys cannot get you through. In this case, mediation may work well for you. It is useful in many instances in which spouses have already compromised. A trained mediator can help the couple get the rest of the way.

A divorce lawyer, like a family law attorney in Lake Forest, IL, will be able to help you understand your state’s requirements for getting a divorce.

Thank you to Hurst, Robin & Kay, LLC. for their insight into family law and divorce.