Are you nervous to tell your spouse that you want a divorce? Maybe you’re not sure how they’re going to take it. Perhaps you know that they are opposed to the idea of a divorce and will be angry or frustrated to find out that you’re considering it.
Even if your spouse is on the same page and you know the divorce is going to be amicable, it is important to consider how you tell them that you’d like to end the marriage. It can help things go more smoothly. Here are a few tips that may help.
Find Uninterrupted Time
First of all, find an uninterrupted time when the two of you can have a conversation without outside stress. Give yourself ample time to talk it through. This isn’t a conversation that takes just a few minutes in the morning before you head off to work. Plan out what you want to say in advance and choose the right time to say it.
Anticipate Reactions
Additionally, it can be helpful to anticipate how you think your spouse is going to react. What questions are they going to have? How is the conversation going to go? When you think about their reaction, you can consider things like what you want to say, how you want to say it and if there are topics you’d rather avoid. Every situation is unique.
Make Sure It Is a Conversation
Finally, be sure that this talk about divorce is a two-way conversation. Give your spouse a chance to ask questions or simply state their feelings. Don’t try to dominate the conversation or make it one-sided, where you’re just telling your spouse what you want. It is important to be clear about what you want, of course, but you also have to give them a chance to talk.
Getting a Divorce
These tips can help when you’re having the initial divorce conversation. Make sure you also know what legal steps to take as you move forward with the process of ending your marriage.