Divorce is often an ugly endeavor. If you’re embarking on that path right now, then you might have images of tongue-lashings and all out war in the courtroom. While some divorces are pretty contentious, most of them resolve through negotiations before heading to trial. That might give you some comfort, but you shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security. This is because a mishandled divorce negotiation can leave you in a bad situation post-divorce, whether that pertains to your finances or even your relationship with your children.
Know how to negotiate your case
That’s why it’s important to know how to negotiate your case. Probably the biggest step in negotiations is simply preparing and coming up with a strategy. Here are few important points to keep in mind when discussing property division, child custody, and other important divorce legal issues:
- Where you can give and where you can’t: You have things that you absolutely need out of your divorce and things that you simply want. Concretely identify those things that fall into each category so that you know where you have room to negotiate and where you don’t.
- Know what you spouse needs and wants: By conducting a similar analysis of your spouse, you can identify areas where you can use assets as leverage to get what you really want.
- Be measured in tone: Being overly aggressive can come off as being hostile, which usually does nothing more than stall negotiations. Essentially, it can throw up roadblocks that end up costing you in the end.
- Know when to walk away: As much as you might want to resolve your divorce without the need for a trial, you can’t be taken advantage of. So, make sure you know when enough is enough and it’s time to take the matter to the judge.
Seek out help when you need it
These tips sound easy enough on paper, but in real life they can be pretty challenging issues to tackle. That’s why competent legal professionals like those at our firm stand ready to help people not only prepare their cases, but also pursue a course of action that sets them on the road to a successful new beginning in their post-divorce life.