Divorce is already a stressful process and can become even more tumultuous when one of the involved parties wants to make things contentious. In an ideal situation, both parties would come to agreement and quietly go through the process of dissolving the marriage. However, things don’t always go smoothly. Washington residents can take some steps to make things easier when dealing with an uncooperative spouse in a divorce.
Don’t discuss past transgressions
There are plenty of reasons that marriages fall apart. Whether one spouse is unfaithful, lies about finances or takes part in some other unscrupulous activity, there is no point in bringing them up through the divorce proceedings. One partner may try to claim more than their fair share of the estate because they were cheated on, but in most cases, unfaithfulness does not entitle either party to more than half of the marital assets. Rehashing old hurts only serves to make things more contentious.
Documentation matters
If your former spouse is making this process harder than it needs to be, it’s important that you have proof of what he or she is doing. It is not unheard of for one party to try to drain bank accounts or take other steps to make things harder for their ex. If you’re dealing with something like this, it’s vital to document everything that is going on and provide proof when possible.
Try to be the bigger person
This one can be tough, but there are times where extending an olive branch can do a great deal of good. When divorces get messy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to fight every decision along the way, but this only makes things more time-consuming and expensive. When possible, take a step back and choose your battles carefully.
One important thing to remember when going through a divorce is to find an attorney who is a good fit for you. An attorney may help you negotiate a favorable settlement while you navigate a tough time in your life.
