The divorce conversation is very painful for both parties. Hurt feelings are inevitable. Read on to learn some tips on having this life changing discussion.

Have the Conversation

Regardless of the duration of the marriage, the conversation needs to happen, unless there is an element of personal danger to yourself or your child or children. You cannot just leave the house and never return. It is not acceptable to have the local Sheriff serve a summons before divorce is mentioned.

Be Safe

If there may be a rick your spouse may become violent, have the conversation in a public place or have a witness when you have the discussion. Keep a cell phone handy with “911” pre-programmed and if you must be alone, make sure someone else knows where you are and the purpose of the meeting. You can decide for your child or children to reside somewhere else for a few days if there is a rick of violence.

Be Sensitive

Consider where and how you will want to have this discussion. A place for privacy is especially important. You do need to tell your spouse in person. This is not a conversation for an email or a text.

Be Kind

You need to be direct in the conversation. You need to resist the urge to blame the spouse or express your disappointment with them. You also need to resist the urge to flaunt the details of any new relationships on the scene.

Be Honest

You need to state clearly there is no chance of reconciliation. Do not opt for the easier option of a “trial separation” as the easier way out if there is no future for the relationship. If you are having an affair, be honest. It is highly likely the truth will come out, regardless.

Make Time

Picking the right time for the interview is key. Just before your spouse goes to work is not a good idea! Although you may have considered this conversation for a considerable period, if your spouse decides to storm off – you must accept that you prepared for the conversation.

Don’t Fight

By not saying hurtful things to your spouse or avoiding shaming, arguing, or blaming, you can minimize the possibilities of a fight. If your spouse decides they are up for a fight or responds in an aggressive manner – you can choose to halt the conversation and return to it at a time when both parties are calmer.

Don’t Involve The Kids

Never have your kids present when discussing divorce. Even if a child or children understand the reasons for a divorce, do not involve them in the discussion. Similarly, if your kids are already grown-up, they need to be kept away from the divorce process.

Be Prepared For A Bad Reaction

You can never tell for sure how your spouse will react when you have the conversation. They may become very unsettled and start to argue, or they may withdraw and say nothing. You can only control your own reaction if you are prepared for the conversation.

Practice Your Conversation In Advance

There is no perfect break up regardless of how it may look in the media. So, rehearsing how you will deliver the conversation to your spouse will help you say what you want to say and keep the conversation on track.

Don’t Dive Into Unnecessary Details

You may have considered divorce for many years and worked out your future life in minute detail. However, the divorce discussion does not have to include a moving-out contingency. Nor do you need to mention who will have the kids or property division. If the spouse wants to have that chat, that is fine. But most people are going to need to accept the idea a divorce is wanted before moving forward.

Consider Including Your Spouse In Your Decision

Springing the divorce conversation on your spouse is never a great idea – but you need to understand your spouse may not see the same problems that are glaringly obvious to you. Dropping hints does not usually work. It may also be your spouse does not believe you when you tell them. Regardless of their reaction, this is an exceedingly difficult conversation to have. Yet the way you kick off the divorce proceedings can have a big impact on the outcome.

Source: https://karencovy.com/how-to-tell-your-spouse-that-you-want-a-divorce/

Once you make the decision to divorce in AZ, you have several options. In this article we will look at some of the most popular options. Read on to learn more.

Contested Divorce in Arizona

With a contested divorce, you may try to negotiate a settlement, but if you are not successful, you may be leaving the decisions in the hands of a judge. These issues may include:

1. Child-related matters such as legal decision-making
2. Parenting time and child support
3. Financial issues such as distribution of property and assets
4. Allocation of debts
5. Determination of spousal maintenance

Uncontested Divorce in Arizona

If terms have been agreed for your divorce from the outset, your divorce might be considered “uncontested.” The paperwork can be filed setting forth your agreements and the case can be completed without the involvement of a judge.

Collaborative Divorce And Divorce Mediation in Arizona

Collaborative divorce in Arizona is a private process that can provide a path to a peaceful divorce even if you and your spouse are not necessarily in agreement on financial and child-related issues coming into the process. Each spouse has a lawyer to advocate for their interests. Divorce Mediation in Arizona is when a neutral third party, works with both parties to facilitate agreements regarding divorce issues without the involvement of a judge.

Default Divorce in Arizona

If you file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Arizona and your spouse doesn’t file a Response within 20 days (30 days if he or she lives out of state), you may be able to ask the court to allow you to proceed by “default.”

Legal Separation in Arizona

The process of legal separation in Arizona is a similar to divorce in that the court enters orders regarding legal decision making, parenting time and child support, as well as division of assets/debts and spousal maintenance; however, the parties are still legally married at the end of a legal separation, whereas the marriage is terminated at the end of a divorce.

Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer in Arizona?

You may not need a divorce lawyer to end your marriage in Arizona. But there are some situations where hiring a divorce lawyer would be a good idea. For example:

• Your spouse made more income and you want to request spousal support
• You are concerned about how to divide assets and property acquired during the marriage
• You or your spouse has debt that you aren’t sure how to divide
• You have children and want information about how child support payments will be determined

Divorce and separation are two different things. In a separation, you live apart from your spouse but reman married until you get a divorce granted by a court. Usually, your financial obligations do not change during a separation. Read on to learn more about the three types of separation.

Trial Separation

You and your spouse may make the decision to live apart on a trial basis. The same legal rules apply as when you were married regarding  finances and property in nearly all cases. If a reconciliation is likely, an informal written agreement regarding certain issues, for example, will you continue a shared bank account, credit cards and household budget needs can be stated as well as how expenses will be met and time spent with kids.

Permanent Separation

This is when you are separated but have no intention of a reconcile. In some states property, as well as assets and debts acquired during the separation belong to the party who obtained them. Once permanently separated, you are no longer responsible for debts incurred by your spouse and likewise you are no longer entitled to assets or property they earn, either. These issues can become contentious in court as it is not always clear what date the separation occurred as monies and property obtained during this time can be negotiable. Should you briefly reconcile, it may change the date of a separation from a legal standpoint. Once the separation and basic agreements have bene formed, there is no rush to divorce.

Legal Separation

In some  states, you may obtain a legal separation by filing a request in family court. Being legally separated is a different legal status from being divorced or married—you’re no longer married, but you’re not divorced either, and remarriage in those circumstances is not allowed. But the court’s order granting the legal separation includes orders about property division, alimony, and child custody and support.