You don’t have to formally ask your spouse for a divorce, but there’s a good chance this is the approach you’ll take. If you’re preparing for this difficult conversation, it’s critical to have a clear idea of the approach you want to take.
Here are some things that could go wrong:
- Going back on your intentions: If you’re 100 percent sure that you want to divorce, don’t turn back at this point. You know what you want, and it’s time to continue down this path, regardless of what your spouse says or does in an attempt to change your mind.
- Talking about the details of your divorce: It seems natural to talk about things such as property division, child custody and child support, but when emotions are running high this can result in a serious argument. You’ll have time to address all these details later in the process.
- Your spouse becomes violent: If you have any reason to believe your spouse could become violent, don’t take a risk with your safety. It’s best to ask for a divorce in a public place or over the phone. It may not be ideal, but there’s never a good time to put your safety and well-being on the backburner.
You hope that everything goes as well as possible when asking your spouse for a divorce, but you can’t assume this will happen. Take steps to protect your legal rights and implement a plan for efficiently moving through the divorce process. This will put you in the best position possible as you navigate this challenging time in your life.