Many Virginia divorces are not amicable and very contentious. In some cases a divorce can be downright messy between a couple. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to help handle a messy divorce in Virginia, and at Select Law Partners, PLLC our team is prepared to help. To learn more about the wide range of services offered to our Virginia divorce clients, call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
Let Your Lawyer Handle Communication
The first step is to allow your lawyer to handle all communication with your spouse and their attorney. Many times it is best to engage as little as possible with your spouse in order to minimize the opportunities for contentious interactions. That said, sometimes direct contact between the parents is preferred and can limit unnecessary attorney’s fees. If there are children involved, you may have to communicate occasionally in regard to parenting responsibilities, but outside of that do not, at least until you have had a chance to discuss the specifics with a Virginia family law attorney, engage in phone, texting, email, or other forms of communication with your spouse.
Do Not Bad Mouth Your Spouse
Relatedly, the messiness of a divorce can be minimized if you do not bad mouth your spouse. This can be incredibly difficult, especially if your spouse is going out of their way to be difficult and create problems during the divorce, but it is important to not speak poorly of your spouse to friends, family, children, or online. These statements could be, and most likely will be, used against you later during important decisions like child custody and visitation.
Do Not Deviate From the Parenting Plan
If there are children involved in a messy divorce, you should not deviate from the temporary parenting plan established while the divorce is ongoing. Your spouse can use every instance to instigate problems or fight over the terms of the parenting plan. Having an experienced attorney is critical in these situations, as they can help create a plan that is specifically tailored to your family’s situation, which in turn minimizes the opportunities for contention around the children.
Be Prepared for Everything
Finally, you should be prepared for everything when it comes to a messy and contentious divorce. You should expect a fight over every issue, big or small. Your spouse may pick fights during the property distribution over items they know mean a lot to you, and some even go so far as to make false claims in order to win a more favorable outcome in court. The best way to prepare is to hire a knowledgeable divorce attorney and have a comprehensive conversation about what your priorities are in the divorce. You should also prepare with as much documentation and evidence as possible to support or deny any claims made during a contentious case. Talk to an experienced Virginia divorce attorney today to learn more.
Call or Contact Our Office Now
Do you have concerns about navigating a contentious and messy divorce in Virginia? If so, the knowledgeable divorce attorneys at Select Law Partners, PLLC are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a consultation of your case now.
Matt Kurylo
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