Divorce is a stressful endeavor, especially in light of what’s at stake in your marriage dissolution. Because of this, a lot of people just want to get the process over as quickly as possible so that they can move on with their lives. But this haste can lead to mistakes that can have massive implications for your post-divorce life. That’s why you should really consider you negotiation strategy before sitting down with your spouse to talk about resolution.
How to approach your negotiation strategy
No two divorces strategies are the same. Therefore, you need an individualized approach that is right for you and your set of circumstances. Each of the following may therefore play a pivotal role in how you approach your divorce settlement negotiations:
- What you must have: There are probably some things that you absolutely must have for your life after marriage. This could be a certain asset or child custody. Identify these things before going into settlement negotiations. It will help steer the discussion and give you non-negotiable areas to focus on.
- What you really want: There are also probably things you really want out of your divorce. The family home, certain pieces of personal property, or a vehicle could all come into play. If you can identify these matters then you can give more depth to your negotiation strategy.
- What your spouse needs: Figuring out what your spouse needs from your divorce can give you bargaining power. If you identify the same assets that you need, then you’ll need to get creative in your negotiation strategy or be prepared to litigate.
- What your spouse wants: Again, identifying these things can give you leverage.
- Know when to walk away: There may come a time when walking away from talks is the best way to protect your financial interests. Figure out before hand what will be pushing you to far to justify continued negotiations.
Take a holistic approach to your divorce
Divorce can be stressful and risky. You really shouldn’t try to win your case and hope for the best outcome. You should be proactive in protecting your interests and develop a holistic strategy that addresses every potential issue you could face. If you think that you could benefit from legal assistance in that regard, then you might want to discuss the circumstances of your case with a legal professional.