Getting What Is Rightfully Yours

Survival Tips For A Contested Divorce With A Difficult Spouse

26 May 2017

Estelle Mathieu

If you are in the process of divorcing your spouse and they are fighting you every step of the way, then there are some simple things you can do to help reduce your costs and stress level during the process. Since a contested divorce often turns into a year or more of stress and financial drain, you should do everything possible to come to a settlement that both you and your ex can live with.

Even if your ex-spouse is unwilling to work with you to get things divided and settled, there are some things you can do to keep the process moving forward. To this end, here are some tips for dealing with a contested divorce with a difficult spouse:

Tip: Make the Effort to Settle Your Case in Mediation

Even if you and your ex-spouse have a lot of things you disagree about, you should make every effort to settle your divorce in mediation. Mediation is cheaper than taking a divorce all the way to the courthouse. Mediation shortens the process, and it also removes the possible randomness of your settlement that comes from letting a judge decide your fate. This is especially true in cases with child custody concerns.

Tip: Be Selective About the Battles You Choose to Fight

The easiest way to ensure that your divorce process takes more time and costs you more money in legal fees is to fight over every aspect of alimony, child custody, and property distribution. You can save yourself a lot of money and frustration by picking your battles during the divorce.

For example, rather than arguing with your ex-spouse about the living room furniture, simply let them have it and purchase something new for your new home. It is very easy to spend more money in legal fees than the items you are fighting for are ultimately worth. Instead, relent on things you really don't care that much about for the sake of simplicity and preserving your cash flow for the things that really matter.

Tip: Always be Polite and Civil

Finally, even though you are hurt and angry about the divorce process, it is vital that you always remain civil and polite when dealing with your ex-spouse, their attorney, and the courts. If you go into meetings or court acting angry and hostile, then you are much less likely to get the outcome that you seek from the process. Instead, remain calm and keep telling yourself that this will be over soon and your life will ultimately be better for it if you maintain your composure.

Contact a lawyer, like Marlene Dancer Adams, for more help.

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