How to Communicate with Spouse During Separation
For many couples, maintaining open and respectful communication is often
difficult, especially if they struggled for years to communicate effectively
during the marriage.
During your divorce, communication is more important than ever and is often
the key to resolving critical issues and making sure your children’s
needs are met.
At the Arnold Law Group, APC, we encourage our clients to keep the lines
of communication open and to make sure their correspondences are civil
and productive.
Below are some helpful communication tips for separated spouses:
Establish Boundaries, and Make Them Clear
Start off by discussing your preferred method of communication and how
often the two of you will discuss issues.
If you are uncomfortable meeting your spouse in person, then suggest that
communication is by phone, text, or email. Make it known whether you want
to only respond to emergency requests or whether you are okay with constant calls.
By setting up and asserting your boundaries, you can avoid unnecessarily
stressful correspondence and requests.
Take Your Time to Respond
Don’t feel the need to respond immediately to every message. Take
your time to provide a thoughtful and respectful response.
Focus on the Issues at Hand
Dealing with a spouse can be emotional, and you may feel the urge to bring
up past issues or engage in back-and-forth arguments. Do your best to
focus on the topic of discussion.
If you are
talking about your children, only focus on
custody matters.
This way, you can have more productive conversations on important issues.
Pay Attention to Your Tone
Maintain a cordial and respectful tone when talking to your spouse. Avoid
shouting or speaking in a sarcastic or demeaning manner.
The tone you use can set a precedent for how the entire divorce case unfolds.
If your spouse decides to speak to you this way,
consider having your attorney step in.
Mediate
A mediator is a neutral third party who can help both sides come to a mutual
agreement on many issues. If you are having difficulty settling disputes,
a mediator can help steer both of you towards a positive settlement.
During your divorce, it is best that parties conduct themselves in a respectful
and dignified manner – and this
includes on social media.
Venting about your case or sharing photos of your lifestyle can trigger
your spouse to act in a hostile or unfriendly manner, which can potentially
delay or complicate your case.
If your spouse starts behaving in an antagonistic manner, you may have
no other option than to have him or her communicates through your attorney.
Experienced Fresno Divorce Attorneys on Your Side
No matter how complicated or stressful your divorce becomes, the Arnold
Law Group, APC is here to help.
We understand the many challenges that
couples face during the divorce process and how heated disputes can get.
Our
Fresno divorce lawyers can provide real solutions and help ease the anxieties and pain through
your case.
Schedule a private consultation and let’s discuss your situation.