Tulsa, OK Divorce & Family Law Blog by Stange Law Firm, PC

Missouri families might feel like making wise decisions for their children is increasingly difficult. For some, life is a bit more complicated due to the widespread closure of schools, businesses and public offices. For families that have a child custody order in place, making the right call amid a pandemic may cause tension. 

Nationwide, parents are struggling to adjust to new guidelines and regulations. For children that are used to splitting time between two parents, the schedule may be temporarily interrupted. If parents do not agree on a course of action, the situation may result in the need for legal action. 

For older Missouri residents, ending a marriage can be a particularly confusing and emotional process. Often referred to as a "gray divorce," the term simply means a divorce between a couple over the age of 50. Any children may have already struck out on their own, and a divorcee may be retired from a job that occupied a lot of his or her time. The prospect of starting over without the company of a spouse may be scary, but people considering a gray divorce have options. 

There are a few tips for healing emotionally during and after a gray divorce. There may be concerns about a potentially empty social life, especially if a spouse continues to attend events and engagements that were once mutual. Instead of feeling a sense of loss, it's possible to look at this situation as an opportunity to try new things, perhaps something that the individual has always wanted to explore. A cooking class, a book club, a new sport or perhaps just a weekly lunch date with a friend can provide something to look forward to. 

When Missouri marriages come to an end, a court usually hashes out the details. Who gets the house? How will time with the kids be split? Personal details like these are a few examples of normal things that might be included in a divorce order, but a court cannot tell a couple how to share "custody" of their mutual friends. 

Recently, a newly divorced woman was invited to a party set to take place during a trip back to her old town of residence. She wanted to see her friends, but after her divorce, many had remained close with her ex-husband, and she was made aware that he was invited to the same party. Though she described their current relationship as amicable, she was torn because their marriage ended when her former husband cheated on her, and she had moved on to a new relationship with someone else. 

Whether a Missouri couple decides to litigate or mediate an end to their relationship, it is helpful to enter the chosen process armed with effective negotiation skills. There are typically several ways to say the same thing. The phrasing a spouse chooses and the manner in which he or she conveys an idea can mean the difference between an ability to negotiate a fair and satisfactory divorce settlement in a swift and amicable manner or becoming entangled in a lengthy court battle. A spouse who takes time to review practical tips for successful negotiation may place him or herself a step ahead of the game.

While effective speaking skills are no doubt a valuable tool when negotiating a divorce, it is also helpful to be a good listener. Spouses might disagree on numerous issues, such as child custody, property division or alimony and child support. It is just as important to hear and clearly understand what the other party is saying as it is to be able to express one's own ideas in a coherent and thoughtful manner.