Divorce is known to be one of the most difficult of all life events. In terms of stress, it is up there with a death in the family, a job loss or even the diagnosis of an illness. So, before you move forward with the process, you may want to ask yourself some questions to be sure that you are emotionally and financially ready for what is ahead. Here are some questions to consider:
- Have you and your spouse discussed divorce? You may be surprised to learn that there are many couples who have wildly different perspectives on their relationship. For some couples, one individual is ready to move ahead with divorce and the other individual has not even considered divorce as an option. It is always wise to be sure that you both understand where the other is in terms of expectations.
- Are you and your spouse on the same page about how best to move forward? Before you move ahead with plans to divorce, it is good to check in with your ex and make sure that you both have the same expectations for what will happen next. If you are going to go through the courts, you will both need to hire lawyers. However, if you choose mediation, you can start right away and may not even need to hire an attorney. Deciding on your path forward will be helpful as you sort out next steps.
- Is there any way to save your marriage? Your divorce will be one defining moment in your life and the life of your kids. If there are things that you can do to improve your relationship before you make the final decision to divorce, consider it. Couples therapy, regular date nights and focusing on intimacy can help encourage positive connection.
- When you think about your future, do you think you would be happier on your own? If you believe that you would be happier on your own rather than married to your spouse, chances are that you are ready to move forward with divorce.
- Are you ready for the financial impact of divorce? Just like there is no getting around the stress of a divorce, you also cannot underestimate the financial impact. There are ways to lessen this financial burden–including using mediation to settle the terms of your divorce.
Resolving your Divorce with less Financial and Emotional Stress
Johnson Mediation can help walk you through the divorce process once you are ready. Our mediation services can help you resolve issues like dividing your property, setting schedules for parenting time and deciding whether you need to consider child support. For more information, call us at 952-401-7599.
