You and your husband seem to be arguing endlessly. You can’t remember the last time you enjoyed a pleasant evening together. The most fun you have is when the two of you are apart. You can see the writing on the wall, and you know it’s just a matter of time before your marriage bites the dust.
Rather than passively waiting for the inevitable, take charge of the situation. File for divorce first. Being the first to file can provide you with many benefits in both the process and outcome of your divorce. In today’s post, we discuss why being the driver of the divorce petition can be so advantageous:
- You can get the lawyer you want. If your spouse serves you with a divorce petition, you’ll have to scramble to get everything ready – and in Washington state, you only have 20 days to formally respond. By filing yourself, however, you can take time in advance to research and obtain the best possible divorce counsel.
- You have time to get your affairs in order. Most people don’t realize how many aspects of their lives are intrinsically tied to their marriage. When you divorce, you have to dismantle every facet piece by piece. You’ll have to submit a long laundry list of documents to your lawyer – from bills to wills, insurance policies to financial statements. By choosing the divorce filing date yourself, you can make these preparations ahead of time – without the added stress of a time crunch.
- You can prepare yourself emotionally. Even if you and your spouse are both unhappy, being served with divorce papers can be an emotional blow to the system. In the rush to respond and organize all of the practical elements of your divorce, you can neglect to take care of your bruised emotional state. When you file for divorce yourself, however, you can take steps in advance to find a support network of family or friends – or enlist the help of a good therapist, if you need.
Divorce is a difficult time for anyone. But when you take control of the situation, you can come out of it stronger in the long run.
