fbpx

Category: Divorce

How-to: Bring Up Divorce with Your Spouse

If you’ve tried everything and your marriage just isn’t working, you might be considering divorce. This is an impossible decision to make, but sometimes it’s the right thing for a couple. If you’re trying to bring up divorce with your spouse, prepare ahead of time. Choose the right time and setting to have a calm discussion. Be firm with your wants and needs. And finally, don’t discuss details, but instead, make a plan to get professional help. Although the process of divorce is difficult, it might mean that you and your ex are happier in the long run.

How-to: Bring up Divorce with Your Spouse: Set the Right Tone

Prepare Ahead of Time

If you want to bring up a divorce with your spouse, prepare ahead of time. Research the process of divorce in your area so you know what to expect. In some places, you’ll need to separate for a while before the divorce. Figure out how long the divorce can take, and make a plan for what you’d like to get out of it. If you have children, consider how you want their lives to look post-divorce. Try and pinpoint where your partner stands in your relationship. Do they think things are going well and will be blindsided by the conversation? Or are you both on the same page? Try to mentally prepare for their reaction.

Choose the Right Time and Place

Never bring up divorce with your spouse in the middle of an argument. Instead, pick a time when you’ll both be uninterrupted. Arrange for children to be with somebody else so they won’t be a distraction. Avoid bringing up divorce in already overly stressful situations. For example, after the death of a family member or a layoff. Make sure that you have plenty of time set aside. Your conversation could take hours, so make sure you can devote the proper focus to it.

Be Calm and Firm

When you bring up a divorce with your spouse, try to stay calm. If you approach them in anger, they’ll be more likely to respond in a negative way. However, if you bring it up in a calm manner, you will probably get further. Be firm with what you want out of the divorce and why you’re asking for it. That way they’ll know that you’re serious and not just bringing it up because you’re temporarily hurt or angry.

Don’t Discuss Details

There will be a myriad of details to sort out after you bring up a divorce with your spouse. However, try not to discuss minor decisions at this time. Don’t discuss dividing up property or belongings. And try not to discuss custody arrangements. You should have a professional assisting you with these discussions. Instead, decide on how to proceed in general terms. Figure out when you’ll reach out to a divorce attorney. Also, figure out what you’d like your timeline to be.

There are so many things to consider when trying to bring up a divorce with your spouse. Try and set the stage for a positive discussion by preparing ahead of time. Make sure you choose the right time and place and stay calm and firm so they know you’re serious. Finally, wait to figure out the details until you have proper help from a professional. Unfortunately, no matter how hard you might wish a marriage could work out, sometimes it just isn’t right. But moving forward with divorce means that you’re one step closer to being happier.

Building Your Credit After a Divorce

Building your credit after a divorce is extremely important. Your credit score affects what kind of apartment or home you can afford as well as what vehicle you can purchase and much more. If you have a low or no credit score, it will be difficult to even find a place to live after you are separated. So building up your credit during or right after your divorce is key. Open up your accounts and begin putting all of your sole money in there. Pay all of your bills on time every month, and pay off credit cards as well. Work with your ex if there is any joint debt. And finally, set a tight monthly budget and stick to it as closely as possible. Divorce can negatively impact your credit score, so it’s important to know how to build credit back afterward.

Building Your Credit After a Divorce: Recovering Financially

Open Your Own Accounts

Building your credit after divorce begins with you opening up your bank accounts in your name only. You likely already have some joint accounts with your ex, but now is the time to open some that are only in your name. You’ll want to open a savings and checking account. Move all of the money that is yours alone into these accounts. It’s also a good time to go ahead and close any joint accounts. You don’t want your ex running up large debts with your name still attached to the accounts.

Pay Bills on Time

It’s important to pay all of your bills on time when building your credit after a divorce. This also includes new payments like alimony and child support. If you are late on your bills each month, it can negatively impact your credit score. It’s also a good idea to pay off your credit cards in full each month.

Work With Your Ex

While building your credit after a divorce, you might have to deal with some joint debt with your ex. It may be the last thing you want to do to contact your ex, but if you can work together to pay off joint debt quickly, it will help your credit. There are many ways to work on paying off debt, for example, the debt snowball. This is where you pay off your smallest debts first, then use the money that you save from those debts to pay off larger ones. Eventually, you are debt-free.

Set a Monthly Budget

Finally, when building your credit after a divorce, it’s extremely important to set a monthly budget. It’s best to set a very tight budget and live as modestly as possible for a little while. This will ensure that you have plenty of money to pay off any debts and pay off credit card bills every month. If you have plenty of money in savings, an unexpected expense isn’t the emergency it might be if you weren’t budgeting well.

Building your credit after a divorce can take a while, so it’s important to start as soon as possible. Some people think it’s wise to go ahead and open up a credit card or bank account before they even begin the divorce process so that they can start establishing credit on their own. Always pay your bills on time each month, including any new payments like alimony or child support. Work with your ex to try and pay off joint debts as quickly as possible to help both of your credit scores. And finally, budget budget budget. Living frugally will allow you to put away some savings so that unexpected expenses don’t end up hurting your credit score by going to collections. Helpfully, you’ll be able to bounce back financially from divorce and build up your credit quickly.

Divorce with a Special Needs Child

Divorce with a special needs child can be more complicated than a typical divorce settlement because your child might need a specialized plan when it comes to things like custody agreements, support payments, or splitting up assets. It’s important to know that legal custody and physical custody are very different things, and that your child’s plan of care might impact these things greatly.

You might also work out child support payments that last longer than the typical eighteen years depending on your child’s needs. It’s important to find extra support during this time in order to help your child with the transitions that they will be facing and with helping you navigate a very stressful time. Enlisting the help of an experienced divorce attorney will make the process much smoother and will increase your chances of getting the outcome that you want from the divorce settlement. Hopefully, you, your spouse, and child can also adapt to the changes coming and begin working on a smooth co-parenting transition.

Divorce with a Special Needs Child: Things to Consider

Legal Custody

When going through a divorce with a special needs child, or with any child, it’s important to know the difference between legal and physical custody. A parent with legal custody will be able to make all decisions for the child when it comes to things like medical needs, education, or legal questions. A parent with physical custody is the one with whom the child lives. Parents can share legal and physical custody, or can only share one or the other. It’s possible for a parent to share legal custody when it comes to decision-making, but the child lives full time with the other parent.

Physical Custody

When figuring out physical custody during a divorce with a special needs child, things can be more intricate than typical divorce proceedings. This is because your child might require specialized medical equipment in the home or car, specialized education, or need to be within a certain location to be near to medical appointments. Parents will have to consider what is in the best interest of the child, just as the judge will. Some of these decisions might depend on the parent’s budget for medical equipment, or the child’s specific care plan.

Support Payments

Support payments can also look a little different in a divorce with a special needs child. Typical child support payments end when the child turns eighteen and legally becomes an adult. However, a child with special needs might need to continue living at home or might continue to need financial assistance well into adulthood. Because of this, child support might last much longer than the typical eighteen years, depending on their needs. 

Finding Support

When going through divorce of any kind, the process is incredibly stressful and very difficult on both parents and children. It’s important to make sure that you have support in place to help you through this transitional time. Enlist the help of a qualified mental health counselor for yourself, and look into supplementing your child’s care plan with additional resources to help them with this transition. It’s also absolutely imperative that you hire an experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney to help you navigate the divorce process to ensure that you get the settlement you and your child deserve. 

Divorce is difficult on everybody, but going through divorce with a special needs child can bring up even more intricacies and complications to an already confusing process. It’s important to enlist help from an experienced attorney as soon as you believe that the divorce is actually happening. When looking for an attorney, make sure to ask about their experience when it comes to legal cases similar to yours.

You might be facing more intricacies when it comes to legal and physical custody since your child has specialized needs. This might impact which parent’s house they live at, how often they can visit the other parent, or what kind of equipment will need to go with them through custody transitions. Child support payments might also last longer than the typical eighteen years if your child will have ongoing financial needs as an adult. It’s important to find emotional support for yourself and your child as you go through this tricky time. Enlist the help of a mental health professional, and consider adding some extra support to the list of care providers for your child as well. Hopefully, your whole family can move smoothly through this process and end up with the divorce settlement that will most benefit your child.

Dealing with Grief During a Divorce

Dealing with grief during a divorce can be a long process. Everybody experiences divorce differently. You likely will go through many stages with your grief, and they might each take different lengths of time. Don’t compare your journey to anybody else’s. Instead, try to work on healthily dealing with your emotions. Try to accept your divorce and permit yourself to feel your feelings. Surround yourself with supportive family and friends. Take plenty of time for self-care and make yourself a priority. And finally, be patient. This process can take a long time. But rest assured, someday you will feel at peace with your divorce. And then you’ll be able to move on to the next chapter of your life.

Dealing with Grief During a Divorce: Channeling Emotions in a Healthy Way

Try to Accept the Divorce

It’s important to accept reality when dealing with grief during a divorce. Often, the denial stage of grief can take a long time. But denying the reality won’t change the situation. Try to take some time to address the fact that your marriage is ending. Only after you accept that it’s over can you begin to move forward.

Surround Yourself with Supportive People

An important part of dealing with grief during a divorce is surrounding yourself with supportive family and friends. Try to reach out to people that understand what you’re going through and who will help you in productive ways. For example, helping you find new interests instead of just trash-talking your ex.

Take Time for Self-Care

Don’t forget to take some time for self-care when handling the grief during a divorce. Especially if you are feeling very stressed by the divorce process. Take a few moments to meditate, breathe deeply, or calm your mind. Try to find some new activities or hobbies that interest you. Another important part of self-care is getting the help you need if you are struggling. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional therapist if you feel like you are struggling.

Be Patient

Finally, when dealing with grief during a divorce, be patient. This process takes a long time. And it takes different amounts of time for everybody. Don’t compare yourself to other people you know who have gotten divorced. Their situation might have been very different from your own. Let it take as long as it needs to take. Just trust yourself and the fact that someday, you will be able to move forward.

Tackling grief during a divorce can be a long and difficult process. It’s important to first accept the reality of the situation so that you can begin to move forward. It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that your marriage is over, but denying it won’t change the situation. Surround yourself with supportive family and friends who will help you find new hobbies or even help you when you’re ready to start dating again. Take plenty of time for self-care, including mental self-care. And finally, give yourself some grace. Be patient and know that this process can take a while. However, someday you will be able to move forward knowing that you made the right decision. Hopefully, you’ll be able to move on to an exciting new part of your life and maybe even meet somebody new to share it with.

Handling Divorce Stress: Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can help you reduce your stress and practice mindfulness, especially if you are going through something stressful like a divorce. You can do these exercises whenever you have a few moments of free time to help you mentally focus. And you can use them if you’re feeling particularly anxious. The idea is to focus solely on just your breathing and let your mind clear for a few moments. There are tons of techniques you can use, but 4-7-8 breathing is one of the most popular. You can also try breathing through alternating nostrils, or lying down and trying diaphragmatic breathing. Finally, the lion’s breath technique is also a good one to try if you are feeling particularly frazzled. Hopefully, you can use these exercises to calm down your nervous system and give yourself some time to clear your head.

Handling Divorce Stress: Breathing Exercises to Calm You Down

4-7-8

4-7-8 breathing is one of the most popular and widely recommended breathing exercises for stress. To do this, sit comfortably and touch your tongue to the back of your upper teeth. Then exhale all of your air in a whooshing sound. Inhale while you count to four. Then hold your breath for 7 counts. Then, exhale slowly with a whooshing sound for 8 counts. You should keep your tongue in the same position for the duration of the exercise. Repeat 3 more times.

Nostril Switch

Another of the easy breathing exercises that you can practice whenever you have a free moment is the alternating nostril switch. To do this, cover your right nostril and breathe in through your left nostril. Then, cover your left nostril and breathe out through the right. Breathe back in through the right and cover it. Breathe out through the left nostril. Breathe back in through the left nostril and cover it. Repeat this pattern for about five minutes or until you feel calmer.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Some breathing exercises can do more than just battle stress. Diaphragmatic breathing can help you with lung health and blood pressure in addition to calming your nervous system. Lay comfortable on your back with a pillow under your head and knees bent. Lay one hand on your upper chest and the other below your rib cage. Inhale through your nose and feel your stomach press against your hand. Then exhale through pursed lips as you tighten your abdominal muscles. Keep your upper hand perfectly still. Repeat for five minutes several times a day. 

Lions’ Breath

Finally, one last exercise you can try is the lion’s breath technique. It’s an energizing yoga practice that can help release tension in your body. Sit comfortably with your hands on your knees. Inhale deeply through your nose and then open your eyes wide. Open your mouth as widely as you can and stick your tongue out and down as if touching your tongue to your chin. Exhale strongly through your mouth making a deep “haaaa” sound from your belly. As you do this, look up as if looking at the space between your eyebrows. Repeat two or three times.

Deep breathing exercises can be hugely beneficial if you are dealing with divorce stress or anxiety from any situation. And not only that, but some of the techniques can also improve your pulmonary or cardiovascular health as well. It’s important to find the practices that work for you if you are experiencing stress. In addition to deep breathing, you might consider things like journaling, yoga, affirmation, meditation, or speaking with a therapist. You can do deep breathing when you have a few moments throughout your day or when you’re feeling particularly anxious or tense. The main focus is simply to clear your mind of stress and focus it solely on your breathing instead. At least for a little while. Even just a short break like this can help you body and mind to begin to relax a bit. Hopefully, you can find the techniques that work best for you so that you can fight divorce stress and improve your mental health.

Elderly Parent Getting Re-Married: What to Know

An elderly parent getting re-married can feel a bit jarring, but it’s not actually that uncommon. Because people are living longer and in better health, more and more older folks are deciding to take another chance on love even in their seventies and beyond. However, it’s important to have a conversation with them and make sure that you are on the same page about avoiding scams and protecting them financially. There are potential benefits to the union, and it’s something that you should really give them space and autonomy on deciding. However, there are definitely some things to discuss and things that you might need to make sure they’ve thought about before they head down the aisle. For many, getting married at an older age can be a second chance at happiness and can help them make sure that they have a companion to share their golden years with.

Elderly Parent Getting Re-Married: What to Know to Protect Them 

Why It’s More Common

An elderly parent getting re-married is becoming more common mostly because our quality and length of life is extending. Medicine is improving and the quality of care for the elderly can make their last years much more peaceful. Many retirees living in retirement communities are finding new partners because they are in a place with our people that might share their same interests and experiences. It’s also become less of a stigma to go through divorce, so there are more single elderly people than in previous generations that are feeling more confident in choosing a new partner, even later in life.

Avoiding Scams

While we’d like to think that an elderly parent getting re-married is as innocent as we think, the truth is that there are a lot of scammers out there that target older populations in particular. Therefore, if your parent is expressing interest in a new partner, it’s helpful to try to get to know the person and see what your impression is. If they are significantly younger, if they seem overly concerned about talking about merging finances, or if there are other red flags, it might be worth it to do a little digging into their background.

Potential Benefits

There are a lot of benefits to an elderly parent getting re-married though, and it’s something that you should try to give them autonomy over. After all, they are adults who can make their own decisions. But that’s not to say that your opinions should be totally ignored. However, writing this off or treating it as something less than serious can actually be missing the point that a marriage might really benefit them. For example, it can give them a new lease on life, it can help them prevent loneliness as they get older, and it can create a relationship that helps them be more accountable for their health. 

Things to Consider 

There are definitely some things to consider and items that you’ll want to discuss with your parent. For example, are they planning on merging their assets with their new partner? Or are they going to sign a pre-nuptial agreement? Merging their life with another person might affect things like their retirement benefits, healthcare, social security, or veterans benefits. Additionally, it means splitting their assets up between potential step children that they might not necessarily have as close a relationship with. Finally, it can also mean that you now are inviting new siblings into your family traditions, which can buck the dynamic a bit. While none of these should necessarily be deal-breakers, they are things that you and your parent should discuss.

An elderly parent getting married can actually be a great thing for their mental health and overall wellness. People with partners are generally happier, they have more energy, better social lives, and they have somebody that can help them keep track of health issues or notice new concerns. The trend is becoming more common as people live longer and longer, and as older folks are feeling more comfortable leaving unhappy marriages and striking out in new relationships, even at an advanced age. If you are getting some red flags about the situation, you should do a little digging and make sure that they are not being targeted as a victim of a scam.

However, try to keep an open mind if everything seems on the up and up. While it might come as a shock, it can actually be a really monumental decision for your parent, and one that you should take as seriously as they took your engagement. Finally, there are definitely things that you should try to get on the same page with them about, like end of life care, health concerns in the partner and how they plan to handle their care, estate planning concerns, or just the general dynamic of merging two new families. While it can be a lot to consider, it might mean that your parent spends their later years much happier with a companion that they can share their experiences with.

Maintaining Mutual Friendships After Divorce

Maintaining mutual friendships after divorce can be tricky to navigate, especially at first or while you’re in the process of ending your marriage. It’s normal for couples to face some awkwardness from their social circle after a breakup.

Maintaining mutual friendships after divorce can be tricky to navigate, especially at first or while you’re in the process of ending your marriage. It’s normal for couples to face some awkwardness from their social circle after a breakup. However, if you and your ex want to maintain all of your friendships, it’s important to discuss this as a goal and how you both plan to make it happen. For example, talk to your friends up front about your intentions to remain in the social group. Avoid trash talking one another so that you don’t force any more hostility. And finally, don’t isolate yourself or wait for invitations. Instead, be proactive. Hopefully, you can use these tips to better navigate this difficult time in your life.

Maintaining Mutual Friendships After Divorce: Focusing on the Bigger Picture

Make an Agreement

If you and your ex have a large friend group, it can be painful to think about that group splitting up. Forcing your friends to take sides in your divorce will make everybody uncomfortable and is more likely to isolate you both from your social circle. Instead, discuss with one another how important it is to maintain your friendships, and work on avoiding things like trash talking or arguing in public.

Discuss Openly

Furthermore, maintaining mutual friendships after divorce is easier if you speak directly with your social group. Let friends know that you don’t plan on forcing them to choose sides, and that as much as possible, you both can get along in public enough to get invited to the same events.

Don’t Trash Talk

One important thing to remember with maintaining mutual friendships after divorce is that you’ll have to save your venting for somebody else. If you are determined not to force your friends to choose sides, you’ll have to cut back any trash talking. Otherwise, it’s likely that you will make your friend uncomfortable. Plus, your ex is likely to find out which can make things even more contentious. 

Stay Social

While it might be difficult, it’s important to be proactive when maintaining mutual friendships after divorce. Your friends might not know exactly how to react. So instead of isolating yourself or waiting for them to invite you to events, be assertive. Invite everybody out for a meal, or ask if you can come along to any events so that they know you are comfortable being around your ex or at least being around people who are friendly with them. Isolating yourself can negatively impact your mental health and create resentment.

Maintaining mutual friendships after divorce can be easier said than done in some situations. However, if you and your ex are both committed to keeping your friend group intact, it’s definitely doable. But you’ll both have to discuss things ahead of time and work on getting comfortable with at least being at the same events together without causing drama.

Moreso, you might have to tell your friends up front about your intentions so that they don’t feel like they need to choose sides. Avoid trashing your ex because it can make your friends feel uncomfortable and can harm your relationship. And finally, avoid isolating yourself, and instead be proactive about being social. Hopefully, you and your ex will be able to navigate this tricky situation without too much difficulty and keep your social group intact.

How-to Help Your Kids Through Your Divorce

Divorce is tough. It is not just difficult for the parents, but for the entire family. This change can bring up a lot of emotions for kids, including disbelief, sadness, confusion and anger. They will be thrown into a new life that they did not pick for themselves. Parents should not get so wrapped up in themselves that they forget to make sure their kids are okay. Make sure to put in the work to help your kids through your divorce.

How-to Help Your Kids Through Your Divorce: Parenting Steps

Arguments

First, to help your kids through your divorce, make sure to not have a heated argument in front of them. Keep those private. Yelling, screaming and fighting in front of them are only going to make your kids afraid and upset. Constant anger and hostility between parents are a big burden for kids to carry. Also, seeing openly hostile arguments could teach your kids bad behaviors that could carry on into their adulthood.

Work to work through conflicts with your spouse behind closed doors. If you are unable to do this on your own, seek a mediator or a divorce councilor. However, for their sake, keep your kids out of it.

Listen

Listen to your kids when they express their thoughts or feelings about your divorce. Also, pay close attention to their reaction. Some kids may say that they are “fine”, but may be covering up how they really feel. They may not know how to process what is going on. On the other hand, they may be worried they will make you upset with telling you how they feel. Let them know it is okay to be upset or mad about the divorce.

Some kids may need to talk to a councilor about their feelings. This safe space may allow them to open up and talk through their true emotions. Having your kids work out their emotions and feeling in a healthy way is a great way to help your kids through your divorce.

Do Not Over Promise

It is important not to over promise things that are our of your control. For example, do not set up the expectations that your child will be able to see their other parent as much as they used to if you are not sure if this is true. It is okay to tell your kids that you don’t know how things will work out. This honestly will be much more beneficial to help your kids through your divorce than setting up false expectations.

Self-Care

Finally, make to take care of yourself. Self-care is crucial for your health. An important way to help your kids through your divorce is by making sure you are taking care of yourself too. You will not be able to take care of your children to the best of your ability if you don’t take the time to take care of yourself. Getting some exercise, eating healthy, getting enough rest, and paying attention to your mental health are great steps to take. You can not pour out love, happiness, and support if you have nothing else left to give.

How-to: Help a Loved One During Divorce

You can learn more about how to help a loved one during divorce on this video.

It is no secret that divorce can be very painful. It is something that no one goes into a marriage wishing to go through. Watching someone you care about go through that pain can be difficult. Whether it is a family member or a friend, you can be there for them and support them. However, there are also boundaries you do not want to overstep. Learn how you can help a loved one get through a divorce.

How-to: Help a Loved During Divorce- Learning the Boundaries

Listen

One of the most meaningful things you can do to help a loved one during divorce is to just listen to them. Somethings all someone needs is just to vent and open up to someone they trust. While anger is not always healthy, in these cases, sometimes you just need to let it out. As a friend, it is your job to listen. Do not try and fix things for them or interject your thoughts. Find a quiet place and just hear them out.

Only when or if your friend or family member asks for your opinion should you give it. Otherwise, just be an ear for that person. According to David Know, a licensed family therapist, “Most people don’t need advice during a divorce, they just need to know that they’re not alone and that people care.” Sometimes, just talking through things is one of the first steps to healing. However, it is important to remember not to bash their ex with your own judgments or opinions. Focus on listening and validating your friend’s emotions instead.

Be a Friend

Another good way to help a loved one during divorce is to be a good friend. Oftentimes, this means lending a helping hand. Sometimes people have to move as a result of divorce. You can offer to help them pack or move some boxes. You could also bring your friend or loved one a meal. Whether you cook something, or just grab takeout, it is a nice gesture. This will give them one less thing to worry about, and give them some company at dinner.

Even if your friend or loved one keeps declining invitations for social events, do not stop extending the offer. Oftentimes, divorcees feel excluded by their married friends. Do not let that be the case. Let your friend know they are wanted. Also, keep in mind that they may not feel up for being social right then. However, as someone close to this person, be there for them for the long haul.

How-to: Choose a Divorce Lawyer

If you want to learn more about how to choose a divorce lawyer, you can learn more from this video.

When you start the divorce process, you will have a lot of things on your plate. From where you are going to live, to figuring out your finances and how this will affect your kids. One of the things you will also need to start working on is looking for legal help. It can be difficult to know who to turn to when you are faced with divorce. Not many people have had experience with this process before, so it can be difficult to know what to do. In a divorce, there is a lot on the line. Learn how to choose a divorce lawyer that is right for you and your situation.

How-to: Choose a Divorce Lawyer: Weighing Your Options

Rethink What You Want

Initially, you may think you want a really aggressive lawyer that is going to start fights and make your ex’s life miserable. Take a step back and evaluate if this is how you really want to proceed. While you do want someone to fight for you, you do not want someone who is going to create mayhem and absolute chaos. This will make everything harder for you in the long run. Having a fair and healthy divorce will be much easier for everyone. This may make you rethink what you want when you choose a divorce lawyer.

Ultimately, the goal of this process is to get divorced. Not only that, but you want to do that without much impact on your life. Do not let your emotions go crazy when it comes down to negotiating over material things that don’t mean much to you in the long run. If you do this, your divorce will become more expensive and longer than you had planned for it to be. Is it worth it? No, it won’t be. Focus on getting divorced as quickly and with as little financial damage, as possible. With this, be realistic about your attorney and what you expect from them. You do not want them to double as your therapist. That is not their job, and this will cost you much more than speaking to an actual therapist.

Looking for a Lawyer

You may feel overwhelmed when you try to choose a divorce lawyer. There are so many options. However, don’t jump to hire the first lawyer you meet. Not all lawyers are equal. Interview at least 3 different divorce attorneys before you decide. One thing to consider is that you should look for a lawyer that specializes in family law. You want a lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced. Other good traits are good communication and negotiation skills.

You can also ask friends and family for recommendations. Recommendations can go a long way. Get their input on lawyers they had both good and bad experiences with. Also, look at the attorney’s trial record and success in court. This will give you an idea as to how good they are at negotiating. This will help give you an idea about which lawyer to choose to help you through your divorce.