Imagine you're divorcing, and you hear your spouse has contacted a lawyer. You feel livid, shocked, and upset. Your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario: They've hired a pitbull. They're going to try to take everything!
If you've felt this way at any point in your divorce process, listen up: Seeking legal help is not a reason to panic. If your soon-to-be ex has legal questions, they should seek counsel. So should you, even if you just want a 30-minute gut check with a legal coach.
Divorce is the unbinding of the most complicated financial and emotional contract either of you has likely ever entered. Having (correct) information and feeling informed and empowered is not just smart, it's also a helpful way to de-escalate conflict and focus on what actually matters rather than getting caught up in the small stuff.
Everyone needs a plan
Do you have an exit strategy for your divorce? Your ex should, too. Have you thought about what you want when it comes to the personal property you shared? Your ex should, too. Do you have a plan for what happens next, post-divorce? Your ex should, too. (See where I'm going here?)
It doesn't have to be brutal
A huge reason why we started Hello Divorce is that the current legal system is set up to pit spouses against each other. Because you're required to file a lawsuit to separate, in many cases, the matter quickly escalates to X versus Y. The process is set up to create conflict. But it doesn't have to be that way – not if we don't let it. The system won't change overnight, but we can change how we approach this broken system: with honesty, respect, and transparency.
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What to do if your spouse contacts a lawyer
Here are three things you can do right now if you've learned that your spouse contacted a lawyer.
1. Reach out to your spouse
This can be hard. But if you're at the beginning of a divorce and have just learned that your spouse contacted a lawyer, it's the perfect opportunity to suggest trying mediation first. Let your spouse know you understand they have questions about the mediation process and that you do, too. Discuss the fact that a mediator is far more affordable than both of you hiring attorneys. Further, the mediator will be able to answer your legal questions as they help you through the paperwork.
2. Book your own interview calls with lawyers
Having more information is always a good thing. And just because you have a preliminary call or meeting with a lawyer doesn't mean you have to hire them. Two or three pre-calls with lawyers will help you get a sense of how it might be to work with a lawyer on your divorce. It'll also give you a sense of the fees involved. Perhaps most importantly, these calls can help you understand what you want (and what you don't want) in a lawyer should you and your spouse decide to work through attorneys to complete your divorce.
3. Read up on the divorce process
While you wait to learn whether your ex is going to hire an attorney (or while you're deciding whether to hire one yourself), dive into some divorce literature to get a good understanding of how the process works. Hello Divorce offers free, easy-to-read breakdowns of the divorce process. The more you know about the system, the more comfortable you'll be as your divorce works through it.
Suggested: Divorce Process Flowchart
