The vast majority of divorces result in settlement. While sparing yourself from litigation in front of a judge might bring a sense of relief, you should only settle your divorce if you know you’re getting what you deserve out of the process.
As you sit down at the negotiating table, you have to have a well formulated plan targeted at securing the outcome you want. Only then can you rest assured that you’ve positioned yourself to get the most out of your divorce settlement.
But what does that negotiation strategy look like? How can you be sure you’re getting the most out of your divorce settlement agreement? Let’s take a closer look at some of the strategies you can implement to more fully protect your interests.
Tips for getting the most out of your divorce settlement
Going into your settlement negotiations can be nerve-wracking. After all, the outcome of your divorce can shape your life for years to come. But there are tactics that you can deploy to protect your interests and get the most out of the process. They include:
- Creating a post-divorce budget: Discussions about property division and spousal support are going are going to be a major focal point of your negotiations. If you come to the table with a post-divorce budget, then you’ll be able to articulate what you need out of your marriage dissolution. This will give you more control over the conversation and reduce the uncertainty that may be overwhelming you.
- Keeping an eye out for signs of hidden assets: In far too many divorces, a spouse tries to hide marital assets so that they can wrongfully keep them for their own individual use once the divorce is finalized. They might withdraw marital funds and stash them away, or they might retitle property in someone else’s name. Regardless, you need to be on the lookout for missing assets so that you can loop them back into the marital property division process.
- Striking the right tone: If you’re adverse to conflict, then advocating for yourself may not come naturally. But you don’t want to be a pushover during your divorce negotiations. You also don’t want to be so aggressive that you shut down your spouse and stall negotiations. So, be firm in your position while articulating your justifications for seeking certain outcomes. It may be helpful to view the process as a business transaction, which can help take the personal animosity out of it.
- Finding ways to use leverage: Your spouse wants to get certain outcomes out of the divorce. If you can identify their goals, then you can allow your spouse to “win” on some of those issues so that you’re in a better position to ask for what you want, or you can leverage certain desired outcomes to achieve your goals. So, carefully think through what your spouse will ask for and how you can use it to your advantage.
Improvisation could spoil your divorce
Although you might want to avoid the divorce settlement negotiation process, you can’t sit down at the table and hope to improvise your way through it. Handling your divorce that way can lead to terrible outcomes that are irreversible.
So, instead of trying to rush through the process with as little thought as possible, focus on embracing the process to secure the future you want. Develop a strong divorce strategy that puts your needs and your children’s best interests first. By doing so, you’ll hopefully achieve the outcome you want, and one that protects your future.