"D" is for Divorce

For many people the word divorce is one of the hardest words they will ever hear or pronounce. It seldom is associated with anything nice. It's an ugly word that describes an ugly event which is the end of a marriage. It is likely to fill you with a multitude of emotions from sadness to anger to regret to relief. Try and not make it worse than it already is.

Don't Panic
You can and you will get through your divorce. You are an adult so behave like one. If you need some emotional support to get you through this then by all means go and find some. However, divorce is not something you can ignore nor is it something you should approach depressed or hot headed.

Don't go to war
By definition, casualties are inevitable on both sides of a war. Compose yourself and approach your divorce as a step forward to your new life and don't waste your time re-opening old wounds. If it's over then deal with it, finish it and move on. The best way to reduce the pain of a divorce is like end it like taking off a band aid.... quick! Long drawn out divorces only lengthens the period in which you will be in pain.

Be Fair and Compromise
Let's face it you and your spouse are on opposite sides and will most likely have different opinions on some issues. To avoid a war, you must negotiate in good faith and be willing to compromise on the issues.

To Mediate is better than to Litigate
Walking into a court room armed to the teeth with aggressive lawyers will only lead to a war. Take a good look at mediation before ruling it out as an option. It is a much more relaxed environment for you to negotiate your future.

Children First
Many people remember to let their children know that the divorce is not their fault. What many forget is that every action they take will affect them. Always remember to put your children first when making a decision because like it or not, they will be affected by it.

Find a Good Lawyer
Don't let yourself be intimidated by lawyers. They are no different than plumbers, mechanics or contractors. You are paying them to do a job you would rather not or cannot do yourself. Make sure you are comfortable with your pick and keep yourself in the loop at all times.

Protect your Credit
Don't let your divorce ruin your credit. If you don't have good credit right now then don't let it get worse. There are many things you can do to protect your credit from maliciously or unknowingly being ruined by your spouse.