It is undeniable that going through a divorce is stressful. It is a lifechanging event that can bring on so many different emotions all while dealing getting through the court process itself. I always tell my clients the following helpful tips to help them manage their stress levels while going through the divorce process.

1. Maintain a consistent routine. It is easy to feel like you don’t want to get out of bed and not do anything. The weight of negative emotions and stress can overwhelm your spirt and lead you to get off what your normal routine was while you were married. It is important to stay on routine as much as possible. Whether it’s getting your children ready to go off to school, going to your job, and coming home to cook dinner… whatever your daily routine was it is imperative that you stay active and consistent.

2. Exercise! Staying active can help you relieve your anger, anxiety, and negative emotions. It reduces the body’s stress hormones and studies show that exercise treats clinical depression.

3. Have your support system in place. It is imperative that you talk to your family, friends, or counselors to help you get through this process. They are there to listen and want to help you. Many people feel alone in this process or feel like they don’t want to be a bother to others. Your support system is there to help you and they actually want to be a resource to you.

4. Do not make decisions while your angry. Try not to make haste decisions out of emotions. It is ok to take your time and sleep on it and come back to it when you’re ready.

5. Make time to socialize and have fun! Everyone needs a break and it is ok to go out and have fun. You are entering a new chapter of your life and you are in control of it.

These are just a few helpful tips and certainly everyone has their own way of coping through the divorce process. It is ok to allow yourself to feel the emotions but also be sure to avoid destructive behavior like drinking or self-medicating. Taking the proper time to reflect and heal will allow you to move on in a healthy way much quicker.

What is a mutual consent divorce?

A mutual consent divorce does not require you to be separated for any period of time prior to filing for divorce if you meet certain requirements. If you and your spouse have a signed Marital Settlement Agreement that resolves all marital property issues and alimony, you can qualify for a mutual consent divorce. If you have children with your spouse, the agreement must also resolve all issues related to custody, access, and child support. The parties must also include a child support guidelines worksheet. Finally, neither party shall ask the court to set aside the agreement before the divorce hearing. Once the agreement is signed, the parties can file a Complaint for Absolute Divorce and at least one of the parties must attend the uncontested divorce hearing to the court to grant the divorce.

A mutual consent divorce can save parties a lot of time and money if they are able to meet the criteria. It is important to carefully draft, review, and negotiate the Marital Separation Agreement prior to signing it as it is binding once signed. Even if either party wants to challenge a signed agreement and asks the court to set it aside, it is not always guaranteed that the court will as most judges will deem it as a valid contract between the parties. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to assist you.

Not every case needs to be litigated in court. Litigation is not only a stressful and long process, but it is also financially draining to many people. When contemplating a divorce or custody action, you should consider whether your situation would be better handled by way of entering into a settlement agreement. What does a settlement agreement really capture? It covers how you handle dividing your marital property, personal property, alimony (if applicable), retirement accounts, child custody schedule, and child support payments. The following items are included in a settlement agreement:

1. The basic background information about the parties which often includes, the date of marriage, location, date of separation, number of children, and your current living arrangement.

2. Division of your marital assets which includes addressing your home, retirement accounts, joint accounts, and vehicles.

3. Addressing debt which often includes credit card debt, student loans, and vehicle loans.

4. Creating a child custody and visitation schedule which will address both joint and physical custody and outline a holiday visitation schedule.

5. An agreement on child support and spousal support (if applicable).

Once you have a signed settlement agreement, the next step will be obtaining a final court order and make sure that agreement is incorporated in it. Although divorce is not the easiest process to go through, there are ways that you can make it financially and emotionally manageable. Call us at (443) 741-2567 and we would be happy to meet with you to discuss the most efficient way to handle your matter.