by Richard J. Coffee, II, Litigation Manager - Illinois Offices, Cordell & Cordell, P.C.

When the end of the marriage is clear and the parties wish to part on as amicable terms as possible, the spouses often will sit down to discuss each other’s vision as to how the parenting and finances will be resolved.  For the marriage that is ending on an uneventful note - the parties have just grown apart or lost interest – it is not unusual for the parties to prepare their own “terms of un-endearment” which they feel present a fair resolution.  While an experienced domestic litigation attorney may point out to one of the parties possible “better” terms or some of the pitfalls of implementing the “reasonable agreements” years (and future spouses) down the road, if the parties are satisfied with their “divorce deal” after fair warning, then the self-imposed terms are generally more willingly complied with than something a court may force upon them.

Cordell & Cordell, PC attorneys, Ken McRae and Heather Biagi discuss McRae's article, "How To Negotiate With Your Wife."

Watch the video to find out the best ways to ensure success in your dealings with your ex-spouse before, during and after the divorce.

As McRae says in his article: "There are thousands of divorces where agreements can be made over a handshake or with a phone call, or an agreement sketched out on a napkin.  However, unless you have supreme confidence in the character of your wife, don’t bet half your stuff and your kids on it."