

{"id":26984,"date":"2018-09-10T08:37:50","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T08:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=26984"},"modified":"2024-09-27T08:44:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T08:44:47","slug":"planning-a-mutual-divorce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/planning-a-mutual-divorce\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things to Keep in Mind When Planning a Mutual Divorce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-26986 size-full\" title=\"Keep on reading to gather some tips on a mutual divorce\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Keep-on-reading-to-gather-some-tips-on-a-mutual-divorce.jpg\" alt=\"Keep on reading to gather some tips on a mutual divorce\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Divorce is hardly mutual.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the time one spouse breaks the news to the other leaving them in a shock filled with emotions, anger, and heartbreak. However, before even deciding to get a divorce both spouses are aware of how bad their marriage is getting and how it is falling off the right track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In times like this, the wife and husband do have a light conscience of throwing in the towel by getting a divorce without this &ldquo;D&rsquo; word ever being discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When one partner approaches the other, who is aware of the state of their marriage and asks them for a divorce, both might agree to this decision without fighting; this is known as a mutual divorce.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When getting a mutual divorce, there are some important tips to remember.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no doubt that mutual separation can be a very difficult decision but with some smart tips, you can make sure that life after the divorce is pleasant and not difficult for you to manage.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related reading: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/10-most-common-reasons-for-divorce\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 Reasons Why People Get Divorced<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-a-mutual-divorce\"><\/span><b>What is a mutual divorce?&nbsp;<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mutual divorce is a type of divorce in which both spouses agree to end their marriage. Mutual divorce is different from traditional divorce, which is when one spouse files for a legal separation and requests that the marriage be dissolved later in court.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to file for a mutual divorce, both parties must agree to end the marriage. No court is required to dissolve the mutual divorce, but the parties may choose to draft a settlement agreement to outline the terms under which they will live apart.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The details of these agreements will vary based on the specific circumstances surrounding each couple&rsquo;s divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-get-a-mutual-divorce\"><\/span><b>How to get a mutual divorce?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few steps for getting a mutual divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, you and your spouse should decide that you would like to get a divorce.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, when it comes to how to apply mutual divorce, you will need to come up with a settlement agreement outlining the terms of your divorce.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These terms will include things like how you will divide your property, how often you will pay support and how much you will pay, and how custody of your children will be decided. This can be done with the help of an attorney or a mediator.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, you and your ex-spouse will sign an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wonder.legal\/us\/modele\/divorce-agreement\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that details the terms of the divorce, including child support and alimony. Once the agreement is signed, it will be a conclusion of divorce.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-planning-a-mutual-divorce\"><\/span><b>10 things to keep in mind when planning a mutual divorce<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep on reading to gather some tips on the mutually agreed divorce:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Both parties must be in agreement regarding the decision to get divorced<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one should be forced into filing for a mutual divorce. Make sure you both talk openly and honestly about your relationship and whether or not it can still work. If your relationship isn&rsquo;t working anymore, or if you can&rsquo;t be together as a couple, then it may be time to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/ending-a-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">end the marriage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that the decision to get divorced is one that shouldn&rsquo;t be taken lightly, so be sure you&rsquo;re truly ready to face life as a single person before moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. You need to have a fair division of property<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before moving forward with a mutual divorce, make sure you come to an agreement on how to handle the distribution of your assets, including your home, cars, and other property. If you have children from a previous marriage, consider how they would fit into your new arrangement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that all assets are subject to division, even things that aren&rsquo;t technically considered &ldquo;property&rdquo; like retirement accounts and insurance policies.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are able to come to an mutual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/negotiating-divorce-settlement\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">divorce agreement with your spouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on these matters, you may qualify for a mutual divorce and be able to move forward with the mutual divorce procedure more quickly.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Go for a peaceful divorce<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to divorce, there are plenty of choices to choose from. You can lash out at one another in court even when you both agree, and the divorce is mutual.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may have anger against your spouse, and you might hate them or choose this decision and hate yourself for agreeing, but it is better that you remain civil and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/divorce-child-custody\/healthy\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep the mutual divorce process very peaceful<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> especially if you have children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/maggie-martinez\">Maggie Martinez<\/a>, LCSW, says<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>With an amicable divorce, it will make any legal battles or personal issues a lot less complicated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/keys-to-divorcing-with-dignity\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 Peaceful Ways to Divorce With Dignity<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>4. Get organized<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-26420 size-full\" title=\" This professional will make sure that when divorce negotiations come through you are all ready\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Therapists-can-help-pinpoint-conflict-issues-and-resolve-them.jpg\" alt=\" This professional will make sure that when divorce negotiations come through you are all ready\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/how-to-get-a-divorce-what-you-need-to-know\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting a divorce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there will be plenty of decisions that you will have to make. These significant decisions will affect your life as well as your children&rsquo;s when the divorce is done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more organized you are on these decisions, the easier you will be able to negotiate and the faster settlement agreement there will be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hire a divorce professional to help you guide you through it all, then they will take you through a process to help you prepare yourself financially. This professional will make sure that when divorce negotiations come through you are all ready and prepared.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to sit down with your spouse and make a list of the debts you both have incurred and the assets you have together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather the copies of financial records such as bank account statements, credit card statements, retirement accounts, insurance policies, car loan statements, mortgage statements and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to sit down and create a partial budget to understand what your monthly budget was when you were living together, and what your monthly expenses will be once you get divorced and no longer live under the same roof.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also unwise to negotiate without a divorce lawyer since you might agree to give up things that will be necessary for you in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Take responsibility<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Divorce can be very overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most divorcees want to crawl in their beds, shut their ears and go to sleep as if nothing is happening. But they are also aware that this will not change anything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If divorce is inevitable, then it is time that you start to take your own responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listen to your divorce lawyer but also make your own decisions. The easiest<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">way to go through a divorce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to be active and take part even if you did not initiate it. This will help you in reaching a good settlement and be less costly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Find support<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important that you remember during this time that you are not alone. When you are able to control your emotions, you can be better prepared to handle the divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Maggie Martinez further adds,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Try and connect with family members and friends during this time. Divorce is not easy and can quickly feel overwhelming without adequate support.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/how-to-ask-your-partner-for-support\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Ask for Support From Your Partner When You Need It<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>7. Avoid arguing<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/how-to-stop-an-argument\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid arguing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about your past troubles and the wrong you both did with your spouse and instead hire a therapist.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Discuss how they want to receive the paperwork<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-24910 size-full\" title=\"Once you have decided to divorce your spouse discuss how they want to receive the paperwork\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Get-your-paperwork-together.jpg\" alt=\"Once you have decided to divorce your spouse discuss how they want to receive the paperwork\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have decided to divorce your spouse, discuss how they want to receive the paperwork. Don&rsquo;t just hand it to them in their workplace or in front of their friends.&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get a Divorce Certificate<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>9. Try reading some books on how to talk to your kids<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try reading some books on how to talk to your kids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before pulling your kids in it, try <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parents.com\/parenting\/divorce\/children\/books-that-help-explain-divorce-to-kids\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reading some books<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on how to talk to your kids before getting a divorce. This is important because catching them off-guard on such a sensitive topic can impact their mental health and social life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Give each other respect<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This process can be very painful but try to give each other respect and dignity.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decide on what parts of the relationship you want to maintain with your spouse and let them know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The last thing to keep in mind when getting a divorce is to focus on the bigger picture. There is no winning in divorce, but if you focus on your future and your children instead of your past, then you will have a better chance of reaching a settlement in your favor.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/how-do-you-survive-a-nasty-divorce\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 Tips for Surviving Divorce<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More-notes-on-mutual-divorce\"><\/span><b>More notes on mutual divorce<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Divorce can be an uncomplicated process given both partners are willing to go through it in a planned way and on agreeable terms. Check out further queries on mutual divorce:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>Can we get a mutual divorce immediately?<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some situations where you can get an immediate mutual divorce based on the agreed terms of the settlement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is called an uncontested divorce. It can help eliminate some of the stress and confusion of a long and drawn-out legal battle. However, it is up to you and your spouse to agree on the terms of your divorce before the process can begin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, you may also want to consider <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/marriage-courses\/save-my-marriage-course\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">save my marriage course<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you think your marriage can be saved. This course will teach you how to communicate better with your partner so you can find ways to resolve issues and repair your relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><b>What is the best month to get divorced?<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on what you agreed to in your written settlement agreement or divorce decree. In some cases, this can be on the same day that you sign the agreement or the decree is issued by the court.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to the best month to get divorced and how long does a mutual divorce take, it is important to consider your situation and what works best for you and your family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out this video on common reasons for divorce:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GDijrLvw6D0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Takeaway\"><\/span><b>Takeaway<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sum up the article, it&rsquo;s important to know all of your options if you&rsquo;re considering getting a divorce. Mutual divorces can make the process easier on everyone involved by eliminating the need for a contested court battle.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As long as you are prepared to face life as a single individual after the divorce is finalized, it can be a great option for you and your family.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><\/pre>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Divorce is hardly mutual. Most of the time one spouse breaks the news to the other leaving them in a shock filled with emotions, anger, and heartbreak. However, before even deciding to get a divorce both spouses are aware of how bad their marriage is getting and how it is falling off the right track. In times like this, the wife and husband do have a light conscience of throwing in the towel by getting a divorce without this &ldquo;D&rsquo; word ever being discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp; When one partner approaches the other, who is aware of the state of their marriage and <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1419,"featured_media":26986,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[2682],"class_list":["post-26984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-divorce","tag-preparing-for-divorce","has_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26984"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104571,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26984\/revisions\/104571"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}