You and your spouse may still have an amicable relationship, or you may struggle to keep things civil during your divorce. Either way, communicating effectively with your spouse during the divorce process can quickly become a challenge.
Divorce is a common experience (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 746,971 divorces and annulments occurred in the U.S. in 2019). Even though many couples end their marriages, communicating can be difficult, so it is helpful to know some effective communication strategies beforehand.
Schedule check-ins
Set boundaries about how you will communicate and when. For example, you and your spouse may find that meeting in-person once a week works well, while other couples may find that texting each other daily is a beneficial approach.
Focus only on divorce-related issues
Depending on the circumstances of your divorce, you may find it hard to stay focused on divorce-related issues, like child custody, property division and spousal support, when speaking with your spouse. To avoid further conflict, keep your conversations on track.
Watch your tone
When speaking with your ex, it is easy to get angry, make sarcastic comments and take on an unpleasant tone. Try to keep things civil when speaking with your spouse. If you find yourself becoming too angry, excuse yourself from the conversation and try again later.
Cooperation and proper communication may not come naturally, especially right at first. But as you continue to have conversations throughout the divorce process, you and your spouse may improve your communication skills.