Believe it or not, it is possible to get through the process without stress, acrimony and petty squabbling. Here are some tips from highly experienced Wirral divorce solicitor Tracey Miller, to help you navigate a peaceful, dignified divorce and get the best outcome for your whole family.

Take your time

This is a life-changing time for all of you, so its best to avoid making snap decisions. Take the time to read, reflect and research, to find out all of your options. Get legal advice you can trust and find out everything you can about the process. And don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions! The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be. Then, you can make decisions based on facts rather than emotion.

Put the kids first

This seems obvious, but it’s so easy to get dragged into petty disputes and lose sight of the ultimate goal – which is to reach an agreement in the best interests of your children. Put any decisions relating to your kids right at the top of the list for discussion with your ex, where you’ll both try to be as open and cooperative as possible. This should set some solid foundations for co-parenting in the future.

Be prepared to compromise

Divorces become nasty or long-winded when neither party can back down. If you can’t agree, you can’t move forward. This is why compromise is so very important during divorce, but it’s also very difficult to swallow your pride.

Try this approach. Think about what really matters to you, and what you want to get out of the divorce. These are the areas to focus on, so you can give some ground in other areas if you need to. If it’s not important to you, why fight about it? It’s not about winning or losing – it’s about securing a good outcome for everyone and moving on with your lives.

Take care of yourself

This can be an extremely upsetting time. No matter how well you and your ex get on, or how smoothly the process is going, there are likely to be plenty of raw emotions bubbling up for both of you. So, make a special effort to look after yourself, surrounding yourself with loved ones and asking for support if you need it. And don’t be afraid to consider counselling if things get tough – you don’t have to do any of this alone.

Stay away from social media

You may understandably feel the need to vent about your ex or the divorce, but it’s best to stay away from the internet when you do so. Use social media thoughtfully and carefully, as any inflammatory posts could cause a row between you and your ex. If you need to let off some steam, do it in person with a trusted friend over a glass of wine.

Reliable, practical legal advice is essential when getting divorced, so get in touch with Wirral divorce lawyer Tracey Miller Family Law for a free initial consultation. We’re members of Resolution and share their commitment to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to divorce and family law.