How to Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce

Once you’ve decided that you want a divorce, one of the next big hurdles that you’ll have to cross is telling your spouse about your decision. It will probably be one of the most difficult conversations you ever have, so you should spend a good amount of time preparing for it. Every relationship is different and you’ll know what’s best for your specific situation, but here are some general tips for how to approach the discussion:

• Don’t rush into it. Once you’ve uttered the “D” word, there’s no going back. Of course, there’s always a chance that you could still reconcile, but things will probably never be the same again once your husband or wife finds out that you’ve been considering splitting up. Take the time to process your feelings and figure out whether you truly want a divorce before bringing it up. And don’t blurt it out in the middle of an argument.
• Schedule time to talk. Don’t break the news when one or both of you are rushing off to work or to an event. Make sure that you have enough time set aside to work through any issues that need to be discussed.
• Consider your spouse’s perspective. Does your husband or wife have any reason to believe that this is coming? Have you been going to marriage counseling, for example, or have you communicated your feelings of unhappiness in the past? If there’s a chance that your spouse is going to be blindsided by the news, you may want to use a gentle tone.
• Be kind. It’s fairly common for divorcing spouses to feel some degree of animosity toward one another. But rather than pointing fingers and telling your spouse that the divorce is completely his or her fault, try to end things on an amicable note. This is especially important if you share children, since you’ll have to continue working together to coparent them.
• Don’t give your spouse false hope. While it’s important to be kind, you also don’t want to make false promises. If your spouse suggests trying to work things out, don’t agree just to spare his or her feelings. If you’ve made up your mind that you want a divorce and you honestly don’t think that there’s any chance of reconciling, tell your spouse that.

One of the most important things that you need to consider when planning to talk to your spouse about a divorce is your safety. Don’t put yourself in a dangerous position. While it would normally be a good idea to have this type of conversation in private, if your husband or wife has a history of abuse or violent outbursts, you may want to consider discussing the issue in a public place or with another person present.

Compassionate Divorce Lawyers Representing Clients in Tampa Bay

If you need a divorce attorney in the Tampa Bay area, you can look to the professionals at the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A. Contact us today to arrange a consultation at our main office in New Port Richey or our satellite office in Palm Harbor.