Divorce is often a difficult affair. With emotions running high during and after the split, the stress can have a negative effect on your health, your relationships with others and your finances. While being able to support yourself after divorce is important, your finances should not be your main focus during this time. Many people put too much emphasis on the financial aspects of divorce and end up missing or making concessions on other important terms.
Prioritizing Your Needs and Goals
Before negotiating the terms of your divorce, you should first think realistically about your finances. Ask yourself what you need to be self-sufficient in the here and now and what long term goals you would like to accomplish in the time after the divorce? This will help you to come up with clear guidelines and allow you to be less rigid when negotiating the financial terms of the divorce. It will also allow you to focus less on these aspects and more on other terms that are equally, if not more, important. In this way, it will be much easier for you to come to a reasonable settlement with your soon to be ex-spouse that includes provisions relating to all of the things that are important to you. This can be a difficult task for some people. If you are having trouble making decisions you should speak to your attorney and seriously consider their advice.
Choosing the Right Divorce Method
You should also think about the current relationship between you and your spouse. This will help determine what method you should use to come to an agreement. If you have been able to work together since deciding that you wanted to divorce, you may be able to come to an agreement yourselves or by using divorce mediation. These methods allow you to have some control over the terms of the agreement, as opposed to litigation, where the court makes the final decision. If the relationship is totally dysfunctional at this time, litigation may be the only way to go about settling and you may have to forgo some control in order to resolve the dispute.
Finding a Balanced Divorce Agreement
While finances are important, there are other things to think about when going through a divorce. If you are realistic about your finances and decide on guidelines before hand, you will be more likely to end up with a divorce agreement that works for you on all issues. You will also have a better chance of moving on with your life after divorce.
Contact a Divorce Attorney in Arizona
If you are contemplating divorce, call the Phoenix, Arizona attorneys at Cohen Family Law at (602) 714-8898.