Negotiating a divorce can be a complicated thing, especially if you and your spouse aren’t on the same page. There are a lot of heightened emotions and it can be a trying time for the both of you. It is important that you go negotiate with your partner so you are both being heard and needs are being considered while being able to come to a compromise. Here are some common mistakes that couples make when trying to come to terms with a divorce settlement and different ways to go about them.
Common Mistakes
1. Leading by Emotion
This can be a hard one to overcome. In the midst of divorce, your emotions can be overwhelming and it is easy to want to make decisions based on whether you are sad, frustrated, angry, anxious, or any other emotion. However, this may not lead you to the best financial decisions for you or your kids if you have any. It is important to try to set emotions aside when dealing with separation of assets to do the best thing moving forward for the both of you.
2. Not Considering All Finances
A common mistake is going into a divorce negotiation without taking into account all finances such as assets, expenses, taxes, debts, etc. Before negotiating, gather all of the necessary documents to back you up and understand where you sit financially to be best prepared.
3. Having an Out of Date Will
A lot of people create a will and do not touch it after. Usually, your spouse is one of the main, if not the main beneficiary of your will. If you don’t update it, they can still benefit from your estate. Update your will, retirement plan, estate, etc. immediately after going through with the divorce so that you can create new terms for it.
4. Choosing the Wrong Lawyer
Lawyers can be a good fit for different people. Choosing the wrong one for you can cause little hiccups in the process. Make sure to choose one that is personable for you and your situation to know that you are receiving the best possible advice, care, and service.
5. Going Through the Process Too Fast
It can be easy to want the process to go through as quickly as possible because no one wants to be in this situation. However, trying to rush through the process can cause you to skip over important details that can majorly affect your life later on. Make sure you consider everything and have a full understanding of all the terms before coming to an agreement.
Conclusion
Divorce is a serious and real thing so it is important not to look over any of these details. These decisions can heavily affect your life after so make sure you understand them completely before making final agreements. Consider all of these things before negotiating with your partner and you will be as best prepared as you can be to deal with something like this in your life.