Going through divorce is never easy. It generally represents the end of a romantic relationship with someone you loved dearly. However, some divorces are more difficult than others. Litigated divorces that are fueled with conflict tend to take a lot out of both spouses.
Are there ways to make divorce more friendly? In short, the answer is yes, but it will very much depend on your circumstances and the outlook of each spouse.
Your mindset when entering the process
The mindset of each spouse as they enter the divorce process will largely dictate how friendly or unfriendly it is. For example, if one spouse is adamant that the other is 100% to blame for the breakdown of the relationship, then the divorce is unlikely to be friendly. What can help is if both spouses are willing to view the marriage as an endeavor that just happened not to work out for many reasons.
Cooperation and compromise
Too often, divorce is thought of as a battle that has winners and losers. This type of approach is never going to be friendly. What is often more productive, and efficient, is if both spouses prioritize their divorce goals and objectives. Are there things that are non-negotiable, such as child custody? Are there other factors where there may be a bit more leeway, such as who gets certain items of property?
The reality is that nobody gets everything they want in a divorce. The more willing both spouses are to communicate and compromise, the friendlier the divorce will be.
Divorcing spouses don’t have to hate one another. Collaborative legal approaches such as mediation have been shown to be very effective. Seek legal guidance to find out more ways you might be able to make your divorce a little friendlier.
