That’s it. You have decided to end your marital relationship. What do you do now?
Whether you’re in Israel or outside, there are a slew of things that you have to start making decisions about. Although your decisions will be influenced to a large part by your spouse’s actions, and where exactly your relationship with your spouse is right now, there are a few things to remember.
1. Always try to have a “good divorce”. Most couples are too pre-occupied with fighting to be able to take the steps needed to divorce in a swift, fair and civilized matter. The areas that need to be addressed are ending the marriage itself , settling associated matters regarding child custody and visitation, division of property and future finance issues. This can done by negotiating and reaching an agreement covering all the relevant points. A divorce agreement that is balanced and leads to a smooth and swift process, relatively speaking, and everyone should “win”. This is very important especially if there are children involved.
2. If due to your situation you are unable to have a “good divorce” then that does not mean that all is lost. Although a long and bitter fight can turn costly in terms of time, money and emotions, it may be better than a quick divorce that results in a one sided “deal” . There are a plethora of factors which you have to take into account when planning your litigation strategy – if that’s the route you will be taking.
A skilled attorney can help you to avoid a bad divorce and to stick on the negotiating track, with the idea of reaching an agreement and avoiding unnecessary legal proceedings.
No matter which course your divorce is going to take, the bottom line is that the first thing you should do is get to a qualified professional. See a lawyer who specializes in divorce before you say anything to anybody or take any actions. Remember – early legal advice at the planning stage can save you a lot of money later on.
