No one gets married with the intention of getting a divorce later on, but, unfortunately, sometimes, divorce becomes a necessity for many spouses. The reasons for getting a divorce can range widely, from a husband or wife being unfaithful to both spouses simply growing apart and becoming different people. However, before getting a divorce, there are some things you should consider:
- Trying Marriage Counseling
Marriage isn’t easy, and while a lot of satisfaction and joy can come from being married, a marriage still takes a lot of work. Sometimes, divorce becomes necessary, but often couples may not have tried marriage counseling yet, which can help couples work through their issues or concerns.
- How to Proceed If Children Are Involved
Having children makes divorce more complicated. Besides needing to figure out logistics like how often a child will see a parent and when there’s no denying that divorce can also be difficult on children. Besides the initial shock, a child must also adjust to a life where they don’t see one parent as much. When possible, both spouses should act amicably when children are involved. As a parent, you also shouldn’t try to turn a child against their other parent, even if they weren’t faithful to your marriage.
- Trying to Handle Things Amicably
When going through a divorce, it’s normal for tensions to be high and for emotions to lead a conversation. However, it’s best to try to handle things amicably whenever possible. One way to make this process easier is by hiring a mediator who can help both parties compromise and meet somewhere in the middle. A mediator can also help both parties see things more objectively instead of letting emotions play a significant role. Unfortunately, however, sometimes litigation is necessary.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Hire an Attorney
If you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse have a relatively good relationship or are able to look at things objectively, then hiring an attorney might not be necessary. However, there are some situations where it makes sense to hire a divorce attorney, such as:
- One spouse is wanting full custody of a child.
- A spouse is trying to take certain assets that you believe rightfully belong to you.
- A spouse has a history of domestic abuse, physically or emotionally.
- If children are involved, you believe the other spouse doesn’t have the capability to help raise the child due to factors like they have a drinking, drug, or gambling addiction, are unable to financially and emotionally provide for a child (especially for children that have special needs), or they’re abusive towards the child.
Of course, spouses typically hire a divorce attorney when there are areas of contention. However, divorce can be tricky, and even if both parties have a relatively good relationship, it’s not a bad idea to hire an attorney to handle the necessary paperwork. Doing so can help save time and money, but you should discuss this option with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse to choose the correct Memphis divorce lawyer, something our friends at Patterson Bray PLLC agree with.