Are You Getting Ready to Talk to Your Spouse About Divorce? Do Not Make These Three Mistakes
Posted on: June 24, 2019
Having a conversation with your spouse about the possibility of a divorce can be one of the most difficult conversations you will ever have. Whether they suspect it may be coming or they are completely surprised, it does not feel good to tell someone that you are leaving them. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we have dealt with many divorces over the years and we have some tips on what not to say during this process.
If you have questions about the divorce process or want to get the legal process started, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 now and request a free divorce evaluation.
- Do Not Discuss What You Believe Your Assets Are Worth
- Do Not Discuss Child Custody
- Be Careful About Your Own Behavior
It may seem appropriate to discuss property assets. You may say something about how much you bought your home for and how much it is worth now. You may discuss how much your coin collection is worth. When you do this, you may be setting yourself – and your spouse – up for disappointment.
For divorcing couples with children, child custody is almost always the most contentious area of the divorce. However, property division is often a close second. Do not discuss what anything is worth until you have an attorney on your side. The last thing you want is to misspeak, say something is worth more than it is, and end up not getting your fair assets during the divorce as a result.
This may surprise you, but you should not have conversations about child custody without first talking to an attorney. There are a few reasons we recommend this. First, you may think you know the law but it may surprise you. You do not want to say something that will get you in hot water or promise more than you are required to.
Second, if you are the one asking for the divorce, your initial feeling may be one of guilt. You may unknowingly offer more than you should to try and elevate this guilt. We strongly recommend that you let an attorney make all negotiations with you – especially those that affect your children.
You do not have control over how your spouse reacts to the news that you want a divorce. However, you can control your own behavior. Do not say anything mean. Do not say anything that can be used against you. There is no reason to make this harder than it needs to be.
If we were giving just one bit of advice to all people considering divorce it would be this: Talk to a divorce attorney sooner rather than later. Even if you believe you and your spouse can divorce civilly, hurt feelings can change a person. Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 now to talk to an attorney who can help.
