Must divorce be negotiated like a business deal?

When a marriage goes south or partners have to split, the inevitable outcome is a dissolution of the marriage. Besides the potentially messy emotional aspect, ex-spouses also have to consider the family assets. But breakups do not necessarily have to be messy, could treating a divorce like a business deal give both parties a new perspective?

A Business Deal Gone Wrong?

While ex-partners don’t need to act cold – or overtly emotional – when filing for divorce, they should come prepared to these proceedings with one thing intact: organization. This is the unexpected truth. A dissolution of marriage can be both amicable and balanced if both spouses treat it with organization. It doesn’t have to feel like a business deal gone wrong or as though a company is being dissolved, after all, there are real humans, relationships, and love at the core of these meetings, not assets and stock options. Often, those treating settlement or negotiation meetings in this manner are suppressing their true felt emotions. Instead, open and honest communication is the order of the day. This is why so many couples choose arbitration first, before ever appearing in court. And, if there’s a prenuptial agreement intact, have a look with a lawyer and try and anticipate points where “conflict” or “contest” is bound to arise.

Before Filing for Divorce

Smart lawyers will tell their clients that prior to any mode of arbitration or negotiation meeting, divorce proceedings can take a while. Whether this period is long, drawn out, and painful or on-point, effective, and amicable will depend on more than just the temperament of the spouses. It will also depend on what each spouse brings to the table beforehand. This includes actions like getting property valued before even filing for divorce, updating education, gathering ‘key evidence’, if preparing to negotiate for custody, etc. The point is not to ‘gather dirt’ or be adversarial – the point, on the contrary, is to be fully in-the-know and walk into those meetings prepared.

Many spouses are also concerned with alimony payments. Here’s a good tip to leave on a good note: In the United States, spousal support payments are a tax write-off. Meanwhile, those who receive alimony payments must actually report this as income. So even if these payments feel like ‘getting the short-end of the stick’, rest assured, there’s a hidden benefit.