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There are several instances in which couples need a break to collect themselves or address ongoing disputes within the relationship. Going through a separation with your partner can be an emotionally difficult time, but it is also possible to also make it a positive time for yourself and your partner.

Whilst sitting down with your partner during this period may be difficult, cooperation and healthy communication are essential in order to make a separation period both positive and productive. Consultation with a Melbourne Family Lawyer is therefore integral to reach coordinated decisions with a minimum of conflict.

1. Me, Myself and I

During a period of separation, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself. Utilise your support network, get involved in new activities, consider joining a formal support group and reach out to a professional for mental health support.

A separation period is an opportunity to push the reset button and make positive life changes. It is a time to rediscover who you are, and what you want from your life. By taking the opportunity to reflect and try new activities, you can make the most of your time alone. (See also: What Parents Need To Know About Divorce When You Have Children)

2. Keep Communication Open

While it may be difficult to converse with your former partner, it is vital to maintaining open communication throughout a period of separation. This is particularly important if you share a child. Both parents should plan how to tell their children about the marital separation, and deliver the news together. Helping your children to adjust to a period of separation, is vital in order to make a separation period positive for all involved.

Maintaining healthy communication with your partner is also vital in order to organize other practical effects of a separation. This can include organizing living and financial arrangements. Organising these practical matters early is vital in order to remove stress and anxiety, and allow all parties to enter into the separation period in a positive manner.

3. Speak No Evil

A separation can stir up significant feelings of anger and betrayal toward your former partner. However, it is important not to speak negatively about the other person, particularly in front of children. Making negative comments about your former partner in the presence of your shared children or family members is counter-productive to maintaining a positive separation. It also hinders the opportunity of a future reconciliation.

4. Seek Support

Uncertainty and confusion can dominate your thoughts during a separation, but this doesn’t need to be the case. In the immediate aftermath of separation, it’s difficult to know where to start. This is why it’s essential to seek the expert advice of a family lawyer. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be many factors you need to take into account. Being armed with knowledge about your legal rights and obligations can help you to make the right choices and avoid situations that have the potential to harm an eventual divorce settlement.

Seeking early advice from a family lawyer will provide you with invaluable tips to protect your finances and put proper care arrangements in place for your children. This can save you from facing bigger problems in the future if you proceed to divorce, and can save you a fortune in legal fees.

Approaching a separation period with a positive mindset is essential in order to thrive throughout this time. While separation is undoubtedly a stressful event, seeking professional support and advice, can help you grow throughout this period, and come out stronger on the other side.

About The Author:

Laura Costello is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Law/International Relations at Latrobe University. She is passionate about the law, the power of social media, and the ability to translate her knowledge of both common and complex topics to readers across a variety of mediums, in a way that is easy to understand.

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