Divorce advice for Dallas residents
Individuals going through a divorce are often overcome by negative feelings and thoughts. While difficult, experiencing these emotions if often necessary to allow an individual to eventually move on and forward. There’s no doubt that divorce is a difficult process and draining both emotionally and financially. There are, however, several things that an individual can do to help make the divorce process as painless as possible.
First and foremost, the tone for the entire divorce process is often set by how news of an impending divorce is delivered. Those spouses who choose to file without their significant other’s knowledge or who break the news in a hurtful way often get off what is the first of many shots fired in a long and contentious divorce battle. For the sake of everyone involved, it’s best to be respectful and direct when informing a spouse that a marriage is over.
Next, once a divorce is imminent, individuals would be wise to ensure they have the numbers of both a good divorce attorney and therapist. In most cases, divorcing couples benefit if they are able to go through a divorce mediator when splitting up assets. There are cases, however, in which couples are unable to agree upon certain matters and choose to go to court. In either case, an individual will rely heavily upon the advice and guidance of an attorney.
Even couples who are able to have a seemingly amicable divorce often suffer greatly both emotionally and mentally in the wake of a divorce. A divorcing individual can benefit greatly from the counsel and advice of an objective third-party. Therapists are professionals who won’t pass judgement and are accustomed to dealing with the emotional fallout of divorce.
The most important thing for anyone going through a divorce to remember is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and things will get better. It may take years, but those who emerge from a divorce will ultimately do so stronger and wiser than before.
Source: San Francisco Gate, “7 Tips For Getting Divorced Without Ruining Your Life,” Erin Fuchs, Oct. 29, 2013
Paula Lock Smyth has practiced law in Texas since 1985, focusing on Family Law, Probate, Mediation, and Collaborative Divorce. She is a trained mediator, seasoned litigator, and one of the early adopters of Collaborative Divorce in Texas. Paula is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the College of the State Bar and the Texas Bar Foundation and has served as Past President of Dallas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. She was a Master in the Annette Stewart Inn of Court and is a Charter Member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas. Her legal knowledge and decades of experience make her a trusted voice on matters that impact families across Dallas and surrounding counties.
