Settling Divorce Out of Court

 Posted on February 12, 2013 in Divorce

Divorce is never easy, and the steps immediately following the announcement of divorce often involve the most difficult part of a failed marriage. More strenuous, perhaps, than even the interminable arguments, broken hearts, and feelings of guilt or responsibility for “the end,” are the endless hours of litigation in a courthouse in which the person who once knew you best brings to light, in public, your worst. Divorce doesn’t have to be this way, according to the Huffington Post. Imagine, a recent report in the Post suggests, a car accident in which the at-fault party immediately admits guilt, forks over payment for repair, and opts out of involving lawyers and insurance agents. Divorce can be the same. In order to make this happen, at least one party in the marriage needs to be entirely willing to accept all blame and suggest potential first steps toward moving forward in separate lives. This could mean laying out a co-parenting plan, suggesting many different options that would work best for both of you. It also means carefully considering and deciding on a proper settlement that your soon-to-be ex-spouse would agree to without haggling. “When thinking about your offer,” suggests the Post, “consider whether you would accept the same offer if presented to you.” This not only ensures your partner that you’re serious about the divorce, but that you’re interested in preserving the relationship to some extent. Taking these pre-steps can lead to a divorce settled out of court, which is easier for everyone, but does not negate the need for a qualified and experienced divorce attorney. A divorce attorney can help to draft a Marriage Settlement Agreement, and can also be helpful later on if any mediation problems arise. If you or someone you know is considering divorce, contact a dedicated Illinois divorce attorney today. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net