Top Tips For Your Family Law Negotiations

If you and your partner have decided to separate, you will need to reach an agreement on the division of your assets and, if you have children, the arrangements for the children.

At Carroll Goldsmith Lawyers, our priority is to assist you to negotiate a settlement as quickly as possible, so you can move on with your life. We recognise that Court proceedings can result in protracted, stressful and expensive negotiations, so we focus on less adversarial methods of reaching an agreement.   

Our top tips below for your family law negotiations are:

1.     View your property settlement as a business matter

Separation can be a very emotional time and you may feel angry and hurt. However, allowing those feelings to dictate your approach to negotiations will not help you and in fact may actually result in additional stress.  Although it may be challenging, we recommend trying to keep the emotion out of the process and focussing on the practical issues at hand.

2.     Try mediation

An independent mediator can assist the parties to reach an agreement.  Mediation can be a very useful mechanism for facilitating constructive negotiations and settling your family law matters.  Our family lawyers can assist you by providing you with expert legal advice prior to attending a mediation, and later in preparing the settlement documentation if you reach agreement. Note that parties must participate in mediation (known as family dispute resolution) prior to initiating parenting proceedings in Court, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

3.     Look after yourself

Separation can be one of the most stressful times of your life and can take an enormous emotional, mental and physical toll on you.  It is vital that you take good care of yourself during this time. Eating well, getting enough sleep and engaging in stress relief activities like yoga or mediation are fantastic ways to help you cope.

4.     Ask for help

Separating from your former partner is a huge step, so it’s important that you recognise when you need legal or practical assistance from others.  Our family lawyers are able to provide you with expert family law advice to assist you with reaching a settlement. Counsellors, psychologists, general practitioners and your family and friends can also be valuable sources of support.

5.     Move on

As difficult as it may seem, try to move on from what has transpired between you and your former partner. Focus on the future and imagine yourself living a happy and fulfilling life.

It is essential that you obtain family law advice prior to negotiating with your former partner. Our family lawyers can help you to resolve your dispute as quickly as possible. 

For more information contact us today.

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