I Wish Every Divorce Was Like This…
The end of one of Hollywood's most admired marriages is almost over.
All without…
✅ Arguing on social media
✅ Fighting over property
✅ Or battling for spousal support
Meagan Good and Devon Franklin have reached a divorce settlement.
And the thing I love about it most is they did it without the drama.
I understand this might sound strange coming from a family law attorney, but when it comes to divorce my goal is to help spouses end their marriages amicably.
I wish every divorce was this easy.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the norm. Many couples start off with the best intentions, but before long, emotions take over and the battle begins.
Nevertheless, here are some takeaways from Meagan and Devon’s divorce journey that can help you along the way too.
1. They Made A Mutual Announcement
If you’re reading this, chances are high that you’re not a celebrity. So, you’re probably not going to announce the end of your marriage on social media. However, you may want to consider sharing the news on a need-to-know basis with your loved ones, especially if you have children. If you are able to do this together, great. If not, consider doing it alone with those in your circle. If nothing else, it may open the door to have additional support for the road ahead.
2. They Made Decisions Together
Instead of going to battle in court, seriously consider settling with your soon-to-be-ex. Going to trial can be EXPENSIVE in time and resources. Not only that, but it can be emotionally draining as well. With that in mind, it may be worth sitting down and reflecting on your situation. Ask yourself this question: What can’t me and my spouse agree on that’s worth potentially thousands of dollars and hours in court? Your answer (and an attorney) can help you decide if that may be worth the expense of fighting for in Court.
3. All Decisions Were In A Written Agreement
Let’s assume you have had a peaceful relationship with your spouse and you trust each other. That’s great! However, make sure to get everything in writing! I can’t stress this enough. Verbal agreements don’t hold any weight in court. And if your spouse presents you with an agreement, have an attorney review it BEFORE you sign it. I’ve seen a situation like this that cost one spouse $3,200 a MONTH for four years! While it doesn’t appear that either Megan or Devon retained an attorney, I’m willing to bet they both had an attorney review their written agreement.
4. They Maintained Respect For Each Other.
I realize this can be much easier said than done, but hear me out. I understand that in the process of divorce emotions can run high. There will be days where you feel good and others where you wish you could flip a switch to put an end to the whole thing. No matter what kind of day you’re having, try to keep your emotions in check and respect each other. The alternative often comes at the cost of more time, money, and stress for you and your children (if you have them).
Now, I realize that not every divorce goes this smoothly. More times than not, there will be bumps in the road. Unfortunately, for most spouses, divorce can be challenging in a number of ways.
So, if your road to divorce hasn’t been as smooth as Meagan and Devon’s, I invite you to schedule a brief call with me, here.
The contents of this blog entry are provided for informational purposes only. You should consult with an attorney to determine how the law applies to the facts of your particular case. Reading this blog entry does not create an attorney-client relationship with Kelly McGriff.