Tips For Handling a Highly Contentious Divorce

Divorce can be challenging even when the process goes as well as it could. At times, a divorce can become highly contentious. Emotions can run high and it can be mentally exhausting for all involved. Hiring a divorce lawyer who understands how to navigate more challenging divorce cases is a must strategic. As you consider who to hire, here are some strategies we understand at Larsen Law Firm and want to share with you to help you handle your divorce if it were to get highly contentious.

1. In a highly contentious divorce, having a skilled and experienced divorce attorney is crucial. You will need an attorney who has experience in high-contention cases, one who has years of experience and understands all of the ins and outs of family law. Work with a Provo Divorce Lawyer who has a track record of successful resolutions in contentious divorces. Guidance from the right lawyer will be invaluable in protecting your rights and interests.

2. Open and transparent communication is critical, especially when emotions start running high. Be clear in communicating your concerns and expectations to your divorce lawyer. Keep and maintain open communication with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, if you can. Sometimes al lit takes is a small misunderstandings or miscommunication that can blow things our out of proportion and cause conflict. Do all you can to be clear and concise within your communications.

3. Being involved in a contentious divorce can be emotionally and physically draining. Take care of yourself and make this a priority throughout the divorce process. Things like getting routine exercise time in, eating well and getting enough sleep will all help toward you being mentally and emotionally strong and ready for bumps along the way and your readiness can make all the difference between an issue being easily resolved instead of turning into a major point of contention. You will definitely want to avoid emotional outbursts in court which could complicate negotiations and affect the court’s opinion of you and your case.You might even want to get help and support from a therapist or counselor who can help coach and guide you through the emotionally swings that can pop up.  Lean on your support system to get out your emotions outside of the the legal settings.

4. Be realistic with your hopes and goals. Having clear and realistic goals for your divorce process will set you up to be much more prepared. Certain aspects will be non-negotiable for you so understanding this beforehand will help you handles those situations better. And going into your divorce process with a planned strategy will help you keep focus on what is most important to you and help you from getting derailed from unnecessary conflicts.

6. It is important in any divorce to keep great documentation of everything but even more so in a highly contentious divorce. Keeping accurate records of all your  communications, financial transactions, and interactions with your ex-spouse will prove to be extremely valuable as this documentation can come into play as evidence if disputes do come up during the divorce process.

7. Consider mediation. Mediation can be an effective way to resolve disputes outside of court. Using a neutral third party can facilitate discussions, helping both parties reach agreements on various issues. This approach can be less adversarial and more conducive to finding common ground.

8. Expect that there will be some challenges, and be prepared when they do surface. Highly contentious divorces often come with frustrating and unexpected challenges. If you are already prepared by expecting the unexpected you will be in a better place for overcoming them.

9. The divorce process can take time so keep the end goal in mind. Don’t get caught up too much with the short-term dispute but keep your mind on the long-term strategies and goals you have. The small issues will still have to be resolved but by keeping the end in mind, it will give you the perspective and calm needed ot get through the small battles without you contributing to contention.

There is no doubt or arguing that a highly contentious divorce is a daunting and challenging thing to think about and by all means you will want to avoid as much contention as possible in order to have the best chance at the outcomes you hope for. Have a plan, be ready when you feel the emotions rising and keep the big picture strategies and goals at the forefront of your thoughts throughout the divorce process. As a highly experienced Provo Divorce Lawyer, John Larsen can help you weather the storm and come out on the other side with the outcomes you hoped for and more prepared for the next chapter in your life.