Negotiating Your Divorce Settlement in Arizona

Ending a marriage that had been embarked upon with such hope is never without emotions. It is difficult to accept, even if things have turned sour and anger abounds. The whole process can be very painful. That said, a divorce could be the easiest option to end the current situation.

It is important to know that your financial situation will differ after a divorce. Consideration of your financial future is essential. Divorce will impact your children, and deciding how they will be supported and each parent's role should not be ignored.

There will be many changes once the divorce goes ahead, so before you begin, make sure that divorce is what is best.

Arizona has no requirement that spouses separate before the divorce. After filing for your divorce in Arizona, however, there is a minimum of sixty days before the divorce can be finalized.

You Need to Communicate

Assure your spouse you want a fair deal. Check to see if you can come up with any guidelines for the communication process (e.g., no talking about divorce matters in front of the kids) To ensure a civilized breakup with your spouse, you may want to seek the assistance of a relationship or divorce counselor.

Any divorce negotiation will require clear and transparent communication between both spouses and between their attorneys. Being transparent during these negotiations can increase the chances of an amicable agreement. However, sometimes the circumstances of divorce create mistrust. If this is the case, it may be better to step back and let the attorneys work to find a resolution.

It is common for a couple to begin a divorce process only to later discover that the relationship is not completely over. Reconciliations do happen. It should be remembered that the divorce process can be brought to a halt if both parties want.

Separate the Problem From the Person

Where emotional difficulties, and potential anger, exist between the two parties, it can be hard to move forward. In these circumstances, the two parties must try and make a distinction between the issues and the feelings about the partner. Make a real effort to clearly distinguish between the problem and the person.

You May Need an Ongoing Relationship With Your Former Spouse

At the end of the divorce proceedings, there may still be a need for ongoing contact with the former spouse. This is especially true in cases where there are children. It may seem advantageous to negotiate hard and take advantage of your spouse, producing a resolution that benefits one party much more than the other. This will, of course, lead to hatred and tension between the former spouses. This will be picked up by the children, making future joint parenting difficult.

Know the Facts

Early in the divorce, both parties will be gathering documents. At your initial one hour consultation, your lawyer will indicate the type of documents you should be collecting. Certain documents will require you to request them from your spouse.

Ensure Your Spouse Has a Clear Understanding of the Facts

It may be possible that your spouse was misled over what the likely outcome of a divorce will be. For example, one spouse could have been completely misleading over the amount of alimony they will be awarded, believing this sum to be significantly more than a family court will award.

If your spouse does not understand the reality, it is wise to try and gently educate them about what the result will likely look like. Your attorney can help by writing to the other attorney or utilizing financial and marital asset disclosures. Divorce mediation through the divorce mediator may also be helpful.

Do Not Take Up Positions

Where one or both partners adopt an inflexible position while negotiating your divorce settlement in Arizona, this can result in high rates of attrition and an increase in hostility between the spouses. For example, you may announce that you will not pay your spouse more than a certain figure in alimony. Alternatively, the spouse may announce that they will not except anything under some given figure. These inflexible, strongly defended positions may produce a stalemate and prolong the whole process.

Understand Your Spouse's Viewpoint

Understanding what are the concerns behind these pronouncements, what he or she really wants, can make this hard negotiating redundant. Understanding the other party's viewpoint is crucial if you are going to negotiate successfully. Be careful not to confuse viewpoint (or how they understand the situation) with the actual reality of the situation.

If you understand what your spouse's underlying concerns are, it can help resolve individual demands that otherwise may seem insurmountable.

Do Not Reveal Your Emotions

Negotiating a divorce settlement has certain similarities with playing poker. If you constantly reveal your thoughts and emotions by your reactions and the expression on your face, you leave yourself open to manipulation. A poker face is needed, and if you just cannot achieve this, then let your attorney do the negotiating on your behalf.

Do Not Use the Children for Leverage

During negotiating divorce settlement in Arizona, emotions may be running high, and it can be very tempting to make use of the children to score points over the other parent. When it comes to the children, it is far better to show yourself to be the better person. Remember, until your child reaches 18, you will need to deal with your former spouse. An acrimonious divorce can significantly impact on the relationship with both your children and their other parent.

Work With the Right Lawyer

You need to have confidence and trust in your lawyer. You must be confident in their ability to do what is best for you. You should choose a law firm that has experience in family and divorce law. They should be someone that you feel at ease when conversing with them.

The Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers Firm has more than 20 years of experience, and a selection of skilled attorneys and talented professionals. You can schedule a one hour consultation to discuss your situation and begin the process of negotiating your divorce settlement in Arizona.

Contact Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers Firm to discuss your concerns at (480) 999-2321