You will have a lot of things to navigate during your divorce, one of them being communicating with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Is it necessary to talk to them?
Here is what to know;
It depends on your situation
If your marriage involved any form of abuse, which means you may be uncomfortable being in the same room as your spouse or you don’t want to talk to them, you can consider communicating through lawyers during your divorce.
However, if you have no issue communicating with your spouse, it may not hurt to do so, as your divorce may be easier and cheaper. You can communicate to find common ground regarding property division, spousal support and child custody and support if you have children.
Tips for communicating with your spouse during divorce
While talking to your spouse during divorce can be beneficial, conflicts can arise if matters are not handled properly. Thus, you need to be careful.
First, set clear boundaries. Agree on topics you can discuss and when to contact each other. If a party initiates an unnecessary discussion, the other can refuse to participate. Further, avoid contacting your spouse when you are upset – only reach out when calm. If you get upset during a conversation, request a time-out. You should also take some time before responding to matters.
Additionally, choose your words carefully. Your spouse may use anything you say against you if it can favor their interests in the future.
Soon-to-be ex-spouses can communicate through lawyers or with the involvement of a mediator. But it’s also possible for some to handle conversations on their own. If you are weighing on which option to choose, learn more about your case to make an informed decision.