10 Keys to Successful Divorce (With Divorce Checklist)

Divorce can be a long and bitter process, but it doesn't have to be. With the right approach, couples can gracefully take this challenging life transition. This article will outline ten essential keys to achieving a 'successful' divorce. These keys will help minimize conflict and protect your well-being and everyone involved. 

Divorce doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. TheCompleteDivorce offers a convenient online divorce solution. Complete your paperwork from home with our expert guidance and avoid costly court visits.

10 Keys to Successful Divorce

The following are the 10 keys and tips for successful divorce.

Top 10 Keys to a Successful Divorce - Amicable Divorce

1. Communicate

Being cordial can make all the difference when facing divorce. When communicating with your spouse, you should emphasize clear and respectful dialogue.

 

Maintaining a ‘good’ relationship for the duration of the divorce will help things go smoother than if you were fighting during the divorce proceedings.

2. Keep up with self-care

Divorce is a stressful process, especially when you are at the point where you are reaching agreements with your spouse and trying to divide things like real estate. 

You need to keep up with taking care of yourself physically and mentally. This will put you in shape to advocate for your wants and needs. 

Are you looking for online counseling/therapy in California? Check out Dr. Invia, who specializes in marriage and couples counseling and individual therapy. Schedule your free consultation today.

3. Seek Legal Advice

If there are things you don’t understand when dealing with family law, you should contact a professional. A divorce attorney can answer any questions and help you reach your goals.

4. Maintain Composure

When emotions run high, giving in to any ill will you feel can be easy. However, you need to maintain your composure throughout the process.

So, no rash decisions are made, and you don’t escalate specific issues.

5. Compromise

In divorce, a ‘perfect’ outcome is very rare. This means that we may not get what we want when we want it. 

You should come into the negotiations with a mindset reflecting that you understand this. Compromise.

Want to seek a cheap divorce without a lawyer? TCD's online divorce service presents a unique solution to divorcing couples: you can complete all legal forms with the guidance of our divorce expert from the comfort of your home. 

6. Mediation

Mediation can help you save more money, as it is a cost-effective option during the divorce process. 

It is also great to have help communicating better with your partner, and mediation can help with this. If you find a mediator who works best for you, mediation can occur from the very beginning to the very end.  

If you are struggling to find a good mediator who will do their best to help you – reach out to Dina Haddad and schedule your free consultation with her today. She is a skilled professional who will do her best to get you where you need to be.

7. Organize 

If you are messy and don't usually organize your things, you should organize your things when it comes to divorce.

You will need several critical financial records.


  • Past Tax Returns
  • Paystubs
  • Credit Card Statements
  • Bank account statements
  • Retirement statements
  • Brokerage statements

You will need these to prepare your required Declarations of Disclosure properly.

Speak with friends, family, or a therapist to establish a support system. Divorce can be hard on anyone, allowing others to be there for you during the emotional parts.

8. Establish Support System

Speak with friends, family, or a therapist to establish a support system. Divorce can be hard on anyone, allowing others to be there for you during the emotional parts.

9. Set Expectations

Divorce can take time, especially if you choose the traditional route. To avoid disappointment, set realistic expectations and do not jump to conclusions.

10. Have A Plan 

You should start to imagine life afterward and prepare for your future. During your marriage, you may have become comfortable leaning on your partner. But after the divorce,  you will gain a new independence you may have long forgotten. 


Planning for housing and personal growth opportunities is essential so you have at least some idea of what to expect.


Want to seek a cheap divorce without a lawyer? TCD's online divorce service presents a unique solution to divorcing couples: you can complete all legal forms with the guidance of our divorce expert from the comfort of your home.

Amicable Divorce Checklist

For your productive and streamlined divorce, we have created the following two divorce checklists: 

1. Pre-Divorce Checklist

  1. Use whatever sources you can.  
  2. If you need to become more familiar with family law and need help, look into the available online resources. They can guide you through the process while giving tips to ensure you aren't blindsided.
  3. Understand your state's divorce laws.
  4. The law in all aspects can vary from state to state - divorce is no different.
  5. Gather legal documents like your marriage certificate and prenuptial agreements if applicable.
  6. These will be needed so that the judge can review them. 
  7. Collect financial statements regarding investments and retirement accounts.
  8. You must submit these so that the judge can have an accurate view of your financial situation compared to your spouse's. 
  9. List of all known assets and debts. 
  10. Assets and debts will be divided between spouses.

2. Divorce Checklist for Parents

  1. Document your current involvement in childcare. 
  2. Who takes care of them full-time, pays for most of their expenses, and takes/brings them home from extracurriculars. 
  3. Create a detailed parenting schedule proposal. 
  4. Since you are divorcing, you will have to figure out (unless you want the family court to do it) who will get the children on what days. Most parents, unless there are cases of abuse or neglect, write their schedule proposal to be 50/50. 
  5. Research child custody laws in your state. 
  6. As stated before, laws can vary between states. This is especially true for child support—if you are doing 50/50, there may be none. 
  7. Gather children's medical and school records. 
  8. The medical and school records can tell much about who is more involved. This can help your case if you are seeking full custody. 
  9. Consider children's extracurricular activities in custody agreements. 
  10. This is mostly in terms of the parenting schedule. Set it so that one person takes the kids to their extracurriculars, and the other picks them up to switch off parenting time.

How Can TCD Help Divorcing Couples with Successful Divorce?

TheCompleteDivorce can prepare you for the divorce process. Their website states, “Making the wrong choice at the beginning of a divorce costs an average of $30,000 and two years of your life.” 

They can help you avoid these (widespread) mistakes by educating you with courses and lessons on these topics:

  • Divorce Basics
  • Is Divorce Right for Me? 
  • Dividing Property & Debt
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Spousal Support
  • Support Calculator

TheCompleteDivorce provides you with the tools and resources to make the right decisions for yourself and your family. By the end of the lessons, you will have answers to vital issues like: 

  • “Does the court decide, or you and your spouse?” 
  • “Which divorce process is right for me?”
  • “How do I tell my spouse about the divorce?” 
  • “Can we work together, or must I serve divorce papers?”
  • “When do we tell the children?” 
  • “How will the property and debts be divided?” 
  • “If one of us moves, does that parent lose custody?” 
  • “How is child & spousal support calculated?” 
  • “How do you file court papers, serve them, and stay out of court?” 

Anyone in California facing divorce with their partner needs the answers to these questions. All together, it can be intimidating going into it alone. 

Dina Haddad, CA attorney-mediator, puts it all on the table in an easy-to-understand format so you can prepare and do well. 

TheCompleteDivorce has over 4 hours of essential strategies to use before you file and when you start the divorce proceedings.

For those who are successfully starting and finishing their divorce in California using TheCompleteDivorce program – it is: 

  • Unique 
  • Straight forward 
  • Easy to use
  • Affordable 


This online divorce service program will take you through the steps to divorce in California without sacrificing quality and providing legal support. It is built by expert divorce attorneys to give you the cheapest way to divorce without emptying your pockets.

TheComplete Divorce program includes for just $299.00:

  • 30 minute meeting with a divorce expert or attorney;
  • Online forms and MSA builder and software for everything you need to do your divorce;
  • Easy to follow video tutorials on family law rules and strategies;
  • Flowchart, checklists and handouts
  • With upgrade, you can also have your court forms and agreement reviewed and filed by the Complete Divorce team.

Want to seek a cheap divorce without a lawyer? TCD’s online divorce service presents a unique solution to divorcing couples: you can complete all legal forms with the guidance of our divorce expert from the comfort of your home. 

Summary Points

  • 10 tips to a successful divorce. 
  • Pre-divorce checklist. 
  • Divorce checklist for mothers. 

How TCD can help divorcing couples with successful/amicable divorce.

How we reviewed this article:

4 Sources:

TheCompleteDivorce uses high quality sources, including research papers, academic research institutions, journals, and think tanks to support the facts and maintain content accuracy. This ensures that our esteemed audience receives reliable information.

  • Bruce Law Firm

Divorce Leverage and Strategy Basics

  • Creative Planning

Pre-Divorce Checklist

  • Alan J. Pransky

The 4A's That Cause Divorce

  • Maplewood Counseling

Therapy Cost

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who loses the most in a divorce?

It all depends. Going into a divorce without much knowledge can affect your outcome. Sites like TheCompleteDivorce can help you be better prepared and more likely to succeed.

Who is better off financially after divorce?

Usually, the one who has a plan for afterward is better off financially after divorce. If you attend mediation, your mediator can help you set up a budgeting plan.

What are the 4A’s of divorce?

Abuse, Addiction, Adultery, and Abstention.