Eight Things You Should Not Waste Time Fighting Over in Your Divorce

 Posted on August 31, 2022 in Divorce Mediation

One of the most common problems divorce attorneys and mediators see in their clients is a desire to fight over small things that do not make much of a difference in the long run. This is only natural; after many years of major disputes, spouses are frequently motivated to get control of the outcome of their divorce in any way they can. Unfortunately, while this instinct is understandable, it is also counterproductive when it comes to mediating a meaningful compromise on major issues involved in a divorce, such as child custody arrangements and property division. Here are eight things that divorce experts suggest you should not spend time fighting about during your divorce. 

Appliances

This category extends to tools and other equipment. While some tools and appliances can be valuable, they are rarely unique or have sentimental value. It is better to let these things go and let the spouse who prefers to have the tools have them. 

Animals

Pets and other animals can be a hard thing to manage in divorce because both spouses often have a deep attachment to them. However, animals and their products are considered property in Texas. Instead of fighting over an animal, consider whether you want to be attached to your spouse with “custody” of an animal or whether it would be better to get your own. 

Dishes, Decorative Items, and Other Household Goods

Unless these things are of significant personal value, they are all easily replaced. This does not include expensive artwork or collectors’ pieces, but rather everyday items that are inexpensive and easily forgotten. 

Photos

Some spouses want to save photos while others want to destroy them. This should be an easy issue to resolve: Photos of relatives should belong to the spouse who is related to them, and anything else disputed gets digitally scanned and shared between spouses. 

Email Accounts

Spouses often share email addresses with an easy-to-remember family name. While access to an old email account is certainly convenient, it is not something to stall divorce negotiations over. 

Food and Wine

Unless these items are of significant retail value, they are not worth fighting over. If they are of significant retail value, such as is often the case with an extensive wine collection, the collection should be valued and the value divided. 

Furniture

Furniture falls into another category of items that are easily replaced. Even if an item does have sentimental value, unless it is a family heirloom, it is better to let it go than to allow it to prolong the divorce. 

The Other Spouse’s Belongings

While this may seem obvious, some spouses are willing to push every little thing to the limit in order to secure a minor victory over the other spouse. If you are keeping something that you know belongs to your spouse, stop justifying the behavior and let it go. If your case does eventually wind up before a judge, actions taken out of petty spite are not looked on kindly by Texas family law courts. Chances are, a judge will order you to return the object anyway. 

Call a Plano, TX Divorce Mediation Attorney

If you are getting divorced and want help establishing your priorities and setting realistic expectations, call the Collin County divorce attorney-mediator with Divorce Mediation Centers of America. We offer many years of experience helping divorcing couples achieve an amicable resolution to their differences, and we are confident we can help you, too. Call us today at 469-406-4320 to schedule your free consultation. 

Source: 

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/divorce