With the holidays in the past and the new year in full swing, it may be time to take a strong look at the health of your marriage. If you’ve long been thinking about divorce, the start of a new year may be the best time to take action.
There’s more to asking for a divorce than sitting your spouse down, sharing your thoughts and hoping that everything works out. A clear and concise plan will go a long way in saving you time, reducing stress and helping you work toward a better life in the future.
Here are five steps to take if you want to ask for a divorce in 2019:
- Prepare yourself: When you understand what to expect, it’s easier to combat any challenge you face. Prepare for your spouse to become upset. Prepare for your spouse to attempt to change your mind. And of course, prepare what you want to say.
- Choose the right time and place: You owe it to yourself and your spouse to have a real conversation about your true feelings. If you don’t choose the right time and place, you could feel rushed. Worse yet, you may not get to take all the steps necessary to kick off the divorce process.
- Don’t change your mind: You’ve thought about every possible scenario. You’ve thought about the many ways to save your marriage. If you know that divorce is the answer, don’t change your mind. Doing so will only lead you back into the same cycle.
- Protect yourself: If you have concerns about your safety, it’s okay to ask for a divorce in a public place. It’s also okay to have this conversation over the phone. In addition to your physical health, don’t let your spouse beat you up emotionally.
- Don’t discuss the details of the divorce: You know you’ll have to work through things such as property division, child custody and child support. Even if your spouse wants to talk about these details now, it’s a mistake. You’re not likely to agree on anything, which will cause an argument that you don’t need at this time.
The new year can mean a fresh start. If you know divorce is the answer to your relationship problems, learn more about the process and your legal rights. You can visit our website for information on all aspects of family law, ranging from divorce to child support and everything in between.