Once you’ve talked to a Toronto divorce lawyer and started the process of ending your marriage, things can get a bit awkward between you and your soon-to-be ex—particularly when you share children and are both expected to attend their events.
Whether your daughter has a part in the school play, your son is showing his stuff in a talent show or your kids are involved in sports, you and your ex will more than likely bump into each other… and things can get sticky pretty quickly. How do you avoid confrontation and strife? Is it possible, or are you doomed to a long future of publicly displayed contention?
Putting Your Kids First
You and your ex may not get along as well as you used to, but when it comes to your kids, you’re probably both great parents (as much as you might hate to admit it). Although seeing your former spouse can be uncomfortable, your kids have to come first; you’re there for them, not each other.
Avoiding Your Ex
If you’re certain that you and your ex can’t get along, there’s nothing wrong with steering clear of each other altogether. Your Toronto divorce lawyer will probably tell you that you don’t even have to nod in that direction if it makes you uncomfortable, so stick to the path of least resistance and take a seat on the opposite side of the room.
Seeing Your Ex with Someone New
When your ex brings a new flame to one of your kids’ special events, you might start seeing red. If you’re in the middle of a divorce, don’t say a word to either of them. Instead, call your Toronto divorce lawyer. This serves two purposes: it buys you a few minutes to calm down and it forces you to step away from the situation before you say something you’ll later regret. Even if your divorce is long over, keep your opinions to yourself—you don’t want to do anything that will embarrass your kids or give your ex something to feel superior about.
Your Toronto divorce lawyer will probably advise you not to date during your divorce (and for good reason), so bringing your own date to one of your kids’ events is out of the question.
When to Call Your Lawyer
Some instances demand an immediate call to your Toronto divorce lawyer, even if you’ve been apart from your ex for quite some time. If your ex threatens you, doesn’t bring the kids to an event from which you’re supposed to pick them up according to your child custody agreement, or otherwise goes out of his or her way to make you uncomfortable, let your lawyer know. With the right legal counsel, you can head off many issues before they become major problems.
