Even though divorce is painful and life changing, the last thing you want to do is be blindsided when you go to court. Family law is a complex and very involved area of litigation that requires you to have all hands on deck when it comes to preparing your case. To this end, there are four key tips that you need to keep in mind, so that you're able to get the outcome that you need and want out of divorce.

#1: Hiring A Good Divorce Attorney Is Everything

Your chances of getting fair treatment in court drastically decreases if you don't hire a highly qualified attorney. You need to hire someone whose areas of interest expertise focus specifically on family law, rather than a general litigation attorney. You must also shop between a handful of lawyers, taking notes and getting your questions answered in consultations, which most attorneys are happy to offer for free. Get their fees in writing, so that you don't find any surprises once bills begin to arrive. 

#2: Undergo Family Counseling Before Court

While closure might take a long time, the process should begin before you ever set foot in court. You and your soon-to-be ex spouse need to sit down with a therapist or counselor, in order to hash out your differences, so that you can go to court like business people, rather than bitter exes. You also need to go to counseling with your children, so that they understand what is going on and so you can move toward keeping familial relationships together, even though the parents will be living apart. 

#3: Consider Getting A Separation Before Divorcing

Many legal experts see wisdom in separating before jumping into a divorce. Some states, such as Illinois, require significant separation periods before the divorce will even be heard in court. Undergoing a separation will give you a trial run of the divorce process, which can either solidify the decision or make you realize that you would rather work things out. 

#4: Undergo Mediation To Come Up With Property Division And Child Custody Arrangements

Property and parenting decisions are two of the biggest sticking points when it comes to divorce. The thing that many divorcees fail to realize is that nothing says they can't come up with these decisions on their own, rather than fighting in court. In fact, judges would much rather deal with two people who have already struck an agreement and just need a legal divorce order, rather than having to haggle between every last detail for months at a time. Professional mediations will be happy to help you come up with these decisions, so that you can go to court in a cooperative manner, rather than adversaries. While passion and emotions might be high, this is the ideal situation for any divorce. 

Consider these four valuable tips, so that you can end your marriage in peace. Consult with a professional like Stephen J Weisbrod Esq Law for more information.