No matter what led to the end of your marriage, getting a divorce can be stressful. Here are some strategies from your trusted Grand Rapids divorce attorney to make the process less contentious.
The first step when preparing for a divorce is to set your finances in order, especially if you and your spouse hold any joint accounts. Gather current and past statements of your checking, savings, and investment accounts, as well as statements of your credit cards, mortgages, and lines of credit. Evaluate your properties and consider any funds you have in the retirement accounts.
If you are responsible for paying bills and expenses, such as phone, internet, or home insurance, keep copies of the bills. All these documents can help determine what you own, what you owe, and what you might be owed after the divorce.
If you feel you can communicate and reach an agreement with your spouse, mediation is a faster and cheaper alternative to a traditional divorce. This process involves a neutral mediator whose role is to facilitate communication between the parties with the purpose of helping you and your spouse reach mutually agreeable solutions on issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support.
Since the spouses have more decisional control compared to traditional divorce, mediation can reduce future conflict. To reach the best agreement, you have the right to be assisted by your trusted attorney during the mediation process.
A collaborative divorce is another form of amiable divorce, but instead of a neutral mediator, each spouse is represented by an attorney specializing in collaborative processes. The spouses and their legal representatives negotiate a divorce agreement based on cooperation to settle all divorce issues, including joint and individual finances, child support, property division, and alimony.
The parties can involve divorce coaches or finance specialists to solve eventual disagreements as long as neither party threatens to use the court system. If an agreement cannot be reached, the collaborative process will cease, leading to litigation.
Regardless of the type of divorce you’re considering, collaborating with your attorney is one of the easiest ways to make the process as smooth as possible. Don’t hesitate to inform your lawyer about your priorities, whether it’s gaining full custody of your children, protecting your assets, reaching a quick resolution, or minimizing conflict.
It is also essential to provide your attorney with all relevant information, even when it seems unfavorable. Complete transparency will allow your legal representative to build a solid case, improving your chances of achieving the desired outcome.
While these strategies can make the process less tedious, the most effective way to ensure a smooth divorce is by hiring an attorney that works best for your needs, and our specialized team offers personalized and compassionate advice and representation for all divorce types. Contact us at Van Den Heuvel Law Office in Grand Rapids, MI to request a consultation with one of our experienced divorce attorneys.
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