Murfreesboro criminal defense attorney

7 Tips for Navigating a Contentious Tennessee Divorce

Published On - October 24, 2024

Dinah Michael Uncategorized

Getting through a divorce is rarely easy; however, when a divorce is contentious, it becomes even more stressful. A divorce can turn acrimonious for a variety of reasons, including the inability to agree on child custody, the division of property, or disagreements over the payment of child or spousal support. Navigating a contentious divorce requires not only legal expertise but also emotional resilience. While every divorce presents a unique setMurfreesboro criminal defense attorney of obstacles and challenges, a Murfreesboro divorce attorney at Bennett | Michael | Hornsby offers seven tips that may help you navigate a contentious Tennessee divorce.

  • Prioritize Your Emotional Health: As difficult as it may be, it is important to prioritize your emotional health throughout a contentious divorce which has likely taken a toll on your emotional and mental well-being. Therapy or counseling can provide a way for you to express your feelings, manage stress, and build coping mechanisms. You may also find that activities such as meditation, journaling, or regular physical activity may help alleviate some of the stress caused by the divorce process.
  • Keep the Big Picture in Mind: It can be easy to become consumed by relatively small, emotionally charged disputes, throughout a contentious divorce. Consequently, you might find yourself going down the proverbial rabbit hole arguing over minor details that, in the grand scheme of things, are not truly important. To prevent this from happening, decide at the outset of your divorce what your priorities are and try to focus on them throughout the process. Staying level-headed and focused on the big picture is the best way to get through even the most hostile divorce.
  • Let Your Attorney Do the Taking for You: In a contentious divorce, direct communication with your spouse frequently makes the situation worse. Instead of trying to talk to your spouse yourself, let your attorney speak for you. This is part of your attorney’s job and he or she is better suited to be able to convey your wishes and negotiate the terms of your divorce in a calm, professional manner. Mediation, which uses a neutral third-party to try and find common ground on disputed issues, may also be an option.
  • Gather and Organize Important Documents: When navigating a contentious divorce, it is important to gather all relevant documents that support your position and that may need to be used during mediation or litigation. This may include things such as financial records, property ownership documents, as well as school and medical records for children. Having these documents organized and readily available will not only help your attorney build a strong case, but it will also prevent delays that could arise if additional information is requested during the proceedings.
  • Be Prepared for Court: While most divorces are settled without the need for a trial, a contentious divorce is more likely to end up in a trial. If this happens, it is essential to be prepared, which requires you to work closely with your attorney to ensure that you understand the legal procedures, timelines, and what to expect from court hearings.
  • Keep Your Children’s Best Interests in Mind: If you have children, their well-being should remain at the forefront of every decision made during the divorce process – especially during a contentious divorce. A contentious divorce can have a profound impact on children, particularly if they are caught in the middle of arguments or forced to choose sides. Regardless of how bad the issues are between you and your spouse, it is crucial to do what you can to shield your children from conflict whenever possible. Keep in mind that the judge will make all decisions with the “best interest of the children” in mind, meaning that keeping your focus on what is best for them will also likely benefit you from a legal standpoint.
  • Be Open to Compromise: Emotions usually run high during a contentious divorce, decreasing the likelihood of reaching agreements on important issues. Reaching an amicable resolution, however, should be your ultimate goal. To reach that goal, you need to be open to compromise where possible. That does not mean you need to give up on top priority issues, but it does mean that you need to be prepared to be flexible on some issues. 

Contact a Murfreesboro Divorce Attorney 

If you have additional questions about a Tennessee divorce, consult with an experienced Murfreesboro divorce attorney at Bennett | Michael | Hornsby as soon as possible. Contact the team today by calling 615=898=1560 to schedule your appointment.

 

Dinah Michael
Latest posts by Dinah Michael (see all)