If you're going through a divorce, it's time to start thinking about the settlement. You might be months away from settlement negotiations, but it's never too early to get prepared. Divorce is never easy. However, some missteps and mistakes along the way can make the process more difficult than it needs to be, especially where the settlement is concerned. Here are some steps you should take to help reduce the stress associated with your divorce settlement.

1. Start With the Right Team Members

When you're going through a divorce, you need to start with the right team.

Lawyer

Now that you're putting your team together, you need to start with a lawyer. You should never attempt to go through a divorce without legal representation, especially if your spouse is working with an attorney. Hiring your own legal representation will ensure that you and your spouse are on equal footing.

Paralegal

In addition to your attorney, you also want to be assigned a paralegal. You'll have plenty of questions along the way. Having your attorney assign a paralegal to the team will ensure that you can get those questions answered quickly.

Tax Consultant

If there are considerable assets to be divided, or there are complex financial records to sort through, you're going to need a tax consultant. You don't want to get stuck with tax debt once the divorce is final.

2. Know When to Agree to Mediation

When it comes to settlement negotiations, you need to know when it's time to work with a mediator. Tension can run high during negotiations. Unfortunately, if they run too high, they can derail any hopes for an amicable settlement. If your settlement negotiations have hit a rough patch, talk to your attorney about mediation. It may be the best way to get the talks back on track.

3. Be Willing to Take Your Share of the Debt

If you were involved in a long-term marriage, there may be some debts that will need to be divided. If you're willing to take your share of the debts, you may have an easier time getting your share of the assets as well. To avoid a drawn-out battle over a settlement, be willing to share the debt.

If it's time to start thinking about the divorce settlement, take steps to reduce the contention and increase the productivity. The tips provided here will help you avoid missteps in your settlement negotiations.

Reach out to a lawyer like Diane Dramko, Attorney At Law if you have further questions.