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Considering Divorce in the New Year

Welcome to the new year; it’s time to take a personal inventory. You survived the holidays, which are often equal parts celebration and stress, and the latter may have you decide you need to make a change in your relationship. As you review your priorities and plan for the coming year, here are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to marriage and divorce.

Make the Healthy Decision

When your relationship has reached the point that you are considering divorce, a lot of negative emotions are in play – anger, hurt, and resentment, to name a few. You and your spouse may be fighting more often or barely communicating while tension builds. Before going out with a bang, give some thought to how this will play out. Words said spontaneously – especially in the middle of a fight – may come back to haunt you. As we learned from some mental health experts, it’s better to have serious conversations about your relationship calmly after careful thought.

Dealing With a Narcissist

If your spouse is a narcissist, you need to be particularly careful when considering a divorce. As we’ve reviewed before, narcissists can be volatile and vengeful, so prepare yourself in advance by

  1. Making copies of key documents, including financial, ownership, identification, and other information that will be vital for the divorce process and that you will need after the divorce.
  2. Creating a secret war chest, since divorce is expensive, and you may find your narcissistic spouse will take steps to cut you off from your marital assets.
  3. Consulting with an experienced family law attorney who can guide you through the process.
  4. Taking care of yourself. Congratulations, you are ready to make a break from the narcissist in your life; you’ve probably suffered trauma, so take the time to heal and energize for the fight ahead.

Think Through the Way You Want the Divorce to Go

Every marriage is different, and there are as many different ways to reach a final divorce. If you think you can work with your spouse, consider the less expensive and less bitter options of mediation or collaborative divorce. A negotiated divorce may not give you everything you want, but it is less risky than a trial where the judge has the final say. Also, consider the practicalities of your situation. Is moving out the right thing for you? Because of the many ways that a divorce can be handled, it is a good idea to confer with an experienced family law attorney.


Thank you for reading our blog! 

If you need legal representation in Maryland or the District of Columbia, consider contacting Malech Law. With over 25 years of experience, we are committed to providing excellent service to our clients. Our accolades include the 2024 Family Law American Association of Attorney Advocates recognition, being a finalist in the 2024 Best of Bethesda Readers’ Pick for Best Family Law Practitioner, and winning the same award in 2022. We’ve also been honored with the Lawyers of Distinction Award for Excellence in Divorce and Family Law for the past five consecutive years. At Malech Law, we approach every case with respect, empathy, and a dedication to excellence. Contact us today for professional legal assistance.

Visit Malechlaw.com or call (202) 441-2107.

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