A lot of divorces get out of hand and become nasty, damaging, prolonged and expensive. This is not ideal for anyone, and, especially if you share children, it is better to do what you can to avoid this.
As co-parents, you will need to continue seeing and working with each other for years to come, so it is best to do what you can to keep the divorce civil. That should result in the divorce being over more quickly, thus saving vital money. Compromise and cooperation are key to this.
Compromise
You cannot enter the divorce expecting to have everything your way. This applies to all issues from child custody to property division. You will have a list of outcomes in your head that you want to achieve and your spouse will have their list. Couples who litigate often focus on their goals, defending their separate corners without acknowledging the other party’s needs and wants. Mediation allows you to look at the two lists and try to find a place of compromise somewhere in the middle.
Cooperation
Many couples see each other as obstacles to their happiness and future plans. It is better to accept that you are where you are and work together to find a way to move on from there. If you cooperate rather than obstruct you will emerge on the other side sooner, usually with more money left in your pocket and less harm done.
Cooperation and compromise should continue once the divorce is done. Learning more about how mediation can pave the way for compromise and cooperation can benefit you and your children.