Communication during divorce

If you’re filing for divorce, both you and your partner will likely be going through an extremely difficult time. While it may seem like a never-ending process, divorce is there to help people find a way to start a new chapter. The latest figures from ONS figures revealed there were 113,505 completed divorces in England and Wales in 2021, so you’re certainly not alone.

If you’re starting the online divorce process, you’ve probably already realised how stressful and emotionally demanding it can be. Divorce itself is unbelievably tough and can often come with a lot of trauma.

In this article, we’ll be highlighting the importance of attempting to go through a divorce amicably with good communication.

The difficulties of divorce

Going through a divorce is incredibly hard for both you and your partner. It’s an emotionally and psychologically draining time, regardless of the reasons that resulted in the breakdown of your relationship.

The experience of divorce can be tough on anyone, making it even harder to keep up clear communication throughout the process. Emotions are heightened, meaning divorces aren’t always harmonious. However, if the process has been relatively straightforward, communication can help navigate the stress and uncertainty of the whole situation.

Communication is key

It’s understandable that not all relationships can rely on maintaining effective communication during a divorce. It’s certainly easier said than done, especially if you and your partner have fallen out due to the breakdown of the relationship.

However, divorce is a complex process that often relies on clear communication from both sides. If you and your partner ended things amicably, your communication is valuable throughout the entirety of the process. With potential delays or disputes, you’ll likely be drawing the process out for longer than it needs to.

Poor communication can also impact those around you, whether that be close family, friends or relatives. Children, in particular, can suffer the most from feuds between parents. Bitter communication, resentment and stress can so easily spill out into family life, potentially impacting your children for the rest of their lives. Effective and calm communication can protect your children from the strains of divorce as much as possible.

How to communicate better during divorce

A few fundamental tips can help to encourage healthy communication between you and your partner during divorce proceedings. Consider the following:

• Understand the divorce process – Once both of you are clear about what’s needed and expected, you can manage the process a little easier and do what needs to be done without too much extra hassle.
• Avoid unnecessary communication – It can be tempting to reach out for quick calls, messages or face-to-face conversations, but these are rarely beneficial for either party if the divorce is already underway.
• Avoid communicating with your partner when angry or irritated – It’s an emotional and stressful time, but try not to get in touch when you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’re both more likely to have irrational discussions, which could make the situation worse.
• Use legal representatives if direct communication isn’t helping – If communication between the two of you isn’t working out, resorting to communication between legal representatives is an option to ensure the process is completed without the added stress.
• Seek support from friends and family – If you need an outlet for anger, frustration, sadness or any other feelings, try to seek the support of friends and family instead. It may help you to start the moving-on process that little bit sooner.

If you’re going through a divorce right now, we recommend seeking support and guidance from family law experts who deal with cases like yours on a daily basis. Getting the right legal advice is a great first step during this difficult time.