There’s no perfect way to ask for a divorce, but at the very least there are steps you can take to minimize tension and set the table for what’s to come.
If you’re struggling to devise a plan, here are some tips you can follow:
- Write out what you want to say: Don’t just think about how you’ll approach the subject with your spouse, write it down so you can review it before you have the conversation.
- Stick to the task at hand: This conversation is simply to tell your spouse you want a divorce. It’s not the time to discuss property division, child custody and other details of your divorce that have the potential to result in a serious disagreement.
- Be honest with your spouse: If nothing else, you owe it to your spouse to be open and honest about your feelings and intentions. Now’s not the time to hide your true feelings or give false hope.
- Prepare yourself to remain calm: A conversation of this magnitude has the potential to quickly spiral out of control. If your spouse becomes upset and angry, you should remain calm and stick to your plan.
Even if you have a clear idea of how you want to ask for a divorce and what you want to accomplish, you could quickly find the conversation heading in the wrong direction.
Fortunately, once you have your feelings out in the open, you can proceed with the divorce process. This puts you on the right track, as you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.
