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An amicable divorce may sound strange. After all, isn’t divorce the result of two people being unable to get along? This is not necessarily the case. Divorce is more about a relationship not serving two people. Two people can get along and be amicable without necessarily being well paired for marriage. Not only is an amicable divorce possible, but it is often much less stressful and expensive for those involved.
Of course, there is only so much you can do to help foster an amicable end to your marriage. You cannot control your spouse or how they will react throughout the ups and downs of the divorce process. The most you can do to encourage an amicable divorce is to focus on the things you can control in this endeavor.
Tips for an Amicable Divorce
Regardless of the reasons for pursuing divorce, divorce can easily be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. To help get through it and to encourage an amicable divorce, practicing self-care will be critical. When you are at peace and with minimal stress, remaining calm in the face of adversity can be much easier. If you are taking good care of yourself, you will likely find yourself to be more resilient in discussing sensitive topics with your spouse and approaching issues that you may have disagreed over in the past. Remaining calm is, of course, a key component in diffusing tension and having productive conversations.
Self-care will look different for everyone, but it should involve focusing on things that refresh you and bring you joy. Make participation in your favorite activities a priority. Practice healthy eating and pursue a solid exercise regimen. Spend time with the people you care about, get some fresh air, and get plenty of sleep.
In addition to self-care, managing your expectations for your soon-to-be former spouse, yourself, and the divorce process will also be important in fostering an amicable divorce scenario. Divorce can have significant and far-reaching impacts on important aspects of your life and that of your spouses. Manage your expectations for what you will get and lose in the divorce as well as how your spouse will react to the different twists and turns the divorce process can take.
Avoiding negative self-talk as well as negative words about your spouse can also be important in the pursuit and maintenance of an amicable divorce. You may have a number of choice words for and about your spouse, but it is often not productive to speak these out loud in front of certain people, particularly your spouse or your children. This is especially important to remember when there are children involved. Negative talk about a co-parent will likely take a negative toll on your children, who may already feel the weight of divorce on their own little shoulders.
It is also a good idea to pause before you respond to something your spouse says or does. Responding in the heat of the moment is rarely more productive than waiting until a cooler head prevails. So, pause before you respond to the inflammatory text or email from your soon-to-be-ex. Take a step back and respond when you have cooled down. This can make a world of a difference in diffusing a potentially explosive exchange.
Florida Family Law Attorneys
While an amicable divorce may be easier on the whole, it can be difficult to achieve such a thing. At Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou, we can help you manage the situation so that your divorce goes as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. Contact us today.
