Just because you’ve decided in favor of divorce doesn’t necessarily mean that your spouse will agree. This can result in more trouble than expected, which is not what you need during such a difficult time of your life.
When you introduce your plans to divorce, you never know what could happen. Your spouse may agree. Your spouse may tell you that it’s a bad idea. Your spouse may even become combative and aggressive.
If your spouse immediately pushes back against your request for a divorce, there are a few things you can do to improve the situation:
- Explain yourself: Although you’re under no obligation to do this, out of respect for your spouse it may be the best decision you can make. Tell them why you want to divorce and the benefits of doing so. By explaining yourself, you show your spouse that you’ve made up your mind and you intend to proceed.
- Hear them out: You don’t want to do all the talking. Give your spouse the opportunity to share their feelings and thoughts on the future. Again, it may not affect your decision, but you should still hear them out.
- Leave the conversation: This conversation has the potential to drag on, eventually leading to an argument. Once you realize that you’re at a standstill, it’s time to leave the conversation so the both of you can cool down and plan for the future.
- File for divorce: You don’t need permission from your spouse to file for divorce. It’s best if they’re also on board with the idea, but you don’t have to wait for them to come around. Doing so only delays the inevitable, which puts even more stress and strain on your relationship and life in general.
It’s never easy to come to the conclusion that you need to divorce. Just the same, telling your spouse that you want to go down this path is challenging.
Once you share your feelings and have a clear idea of where your spouse stands, turn your attention to the divorce process, your legal rights and the steps you can take to prepare for the future.