Divorce can be costly emotionally and financially. In some cases the emotional toll is so significant it can affect the ability of parties and their family law attorneys to reach an amicable resolution. If a party uses the judicial system to hurt the other party, it means that attorneys have to prepare pleadings and motions which then have to be heard by the Court. A single motion may take months before it can be addressed by the Court. During that time emails are exchanged between parties and their attorneys and between attorneys creating a costly dialog. The Court may require that the parties undertake mediation before it will set the hearing, adding another level of expense. Where there is violence or threats there may be no option except to meet these threats head on.
When you undertake your divorce, discuss with your attorney realistic goals and how best to achieve them. Evaluate candidly your spouse’s positive contributions to the marriage and do your best to set aside feelings of animosity. Seek counseling either together or alone so that your decisions are well grounded emotionally. Your attorney is your legal counselor but a therapist is your mental health counselor. Frequently, the cost of a therapist is covered by insurance while the attorney’s services are not. Every dollar spent on litigation is that much less the parties have to divide between them.