Going through a divorce is an extremely difficult and emotional process. One of the biggest things I see when my clients come in for the first time is a concern about what the future holds for them. They are worried about what life will be like after the divorce, how they will cope financially, and how their relationships with their children will be affected. These legitimate divorce anxieties can lead to increased conflict during the divorce process and make it harder to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Mediation and Collaborative divorce are two divorce processes that can help alleviate these anxious feelings and make the divorce process less stressful. Litigation will often increase the level of concern that you may have and increase worry about your future. In both mediation and collaborative divorce, there is an opportunity to express those things that you are most worried about post-divorce. In a collaborative divorce, you work together with your lawyers and other professionals to come to an agreement that is equitable and mutually acceptable. In mediation, a neutral third party helps facilitate discussions between you and your spouse to arrive at a productive conclusion.
During these processes, it is important to be open and honest about your worries and concerns. This, in turn, allows you and your spouse to feel heard and understood, creating a positive environment. It can also help to bring in a neutral financial expert to create budget scenarios and help you to see what your post-divorce financial life would look like.
By addressing these anxieties and concerns upfront, it can help to prevent conflicts from escalating and make it easier to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. It is also important to move slowly, allowing thoughts to sink in, and contemplate the decisions you are making rather than rushing through the process.
In conclusion, a new world without your former spouse is a common concern during the divorce process. But non-adversarial divorce processes such as collaborative divorce and mediation can help alleviate these concerns and worries and make the process less stressful. By addressing these concerns upfront, you can work towards a mutually acceptable agreement that considers you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse’s individual needs and concerns.
Talk to an Experienced Family Law Professional Today
Lynette Kim is an experienced mediator and collaborative divorce attorney. She can help you to find ways to reduce your anxieties about your future and emerge on the other side of the divorce with a good understanding of what may lie ahead for you. Our office is located at: 3701 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 508, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Call today to schedule an appointment (213) 351-1000.
