Maybe it’s been a long time coming and you could see it a mile off, or maybe its been a bolt from the blue and you’re still reeling in shock. Either way, your spouse asking for a divorce is an incredibly difficult situation for all involved. It can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn to in the immediate aftermath.
The key is to not get overwhelmed; it can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you. While there is a time and a place for letting it all out, now might not be that time. This is where you need to stay focused and work on what the best plan is going forward, especially if there are children involved. If you’re not sure about what happens next or what your next move should be, we’ve put together some tips to help you out. Keep reading to find out more.
Talk To Your Partner
This is one of the most important things you can do. For many people, the first instinct would be to get upset, or angry, or even to run away. Take some deep breaths and try to stay calm. This is problem that is going to need to be addressed one way or another, and the best way for all parties involved is to do so amicably.
Talk to your spouse to try and find out what has led them to this decision, if you don’t know already, and how they see things moving forward. Don’t make any promises or commit to anything, just listen, and see what they say. This can give you an idea of how things are going to progress and can let you know what you need to be doing in the short term.
Get Legal Advice
If you’ve spoke to your partner and you have established that their decision is final, the next thing you should do is seek legal advice. If they are asking for a divorce and they seem confident in their decision, there is a high likelihood that they have already spoken with a lawyer ahead of time. You should strive to speak to one yourself ahead of time. Divorces can be highly individual and can, unfortunately, get messy, so ensuring you are getting advice from divorce lawyers at every step of the way can keep you protected and ensure the process is as smooth as it possibly can be.
Think About Your Children
A divorce can get ten times more complicated when children are involved, and unfortunately a separation can be particularly hard on them. How you deal with your children moving forward will vary and can depend on their age, living arrangements, and the current state of the relationship between you and your partner.
If you can, have a discussion with your spouse so that you can both properly talk about and assess what the best plan to deal with the children should be. While babies or very young infants may seem like they don’t really know what’s going on, they can be affected by trouble in the home. Older children will certainly know something is up and you’re going to need to decide when you should tell them about what is happening.
Conclusion
A divorce is never easy for anyone. It can have a serious impact on mental health and wellbeing and, even if both couples wanted it and it has been in everyone’s best interest, it can take years to fully recover from. The emotional impact is severe, don’t make it worse by panicking and doing something you’d regret.
