Here’s how to develop a divorce negotiation strategy
Although most divorces seem highly contentious, the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of them settle before going to trial. That means the parties somehow find a way to work together to hash out a resolution that works for both of them. One reason this approach is appealing is that it allows the spouses to retain control whereas important family law matters would otherwise be left in the hands of a judge who knows nothing about the spouses other than what is presented to him or her.
Be prepared for your divorce negotiations
Since there’s a good chance that your divorce can be settled with minimal court involvement, you need to know how to negotiate for an outcome that is right for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to sit down at the negotiation table.
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Know your priorities: You need to prioritize every aspect of your divorce. There are probably certain things that you feel like you need, and other things that you don’t need but want. By being concrete in your priorities, you can develop a strategy that can steer the course of your negotiations.
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Know your spouse’s priorities: The same holds true of your spouse’s position. The more able you are to hone in on his or her priorities, the more likely you are to be able to leverage your spouse to get the things that you need and want.
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Watch your attitude: You can certainly be aggressive and assertive in your negotiations, but if you’re overly confrontational, then you might cause talks to stall. This can end up being more costly and troublesome than you want.
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Know when to go to court: Although there’s a good chance that you might be able to settle your divorce without a trial, there might be some issues that you can’t agree on. Don’t let your rush to finalize your divorce jeopardize your financial standing post-divorce. Instead, know what areas are non-negotiable so that you can know when to walk away and take your chances in court.
Don’t go through it alone
Divorce is an emotionally complex process that has enormous implications for your financial future and your relationship with your children. Therefore, you need to take a holistic approach to your case and have the best strategies available to you ready to go. If you’d like to learn more about how to go about doing that, then now may be the time to sit down with a divorce attorney who can help you fight for what you deserve.
