How to Effectively Negotiate in Your Divorce

 Posted on November 14, 2025 in Divorce

Getting a divorce demands cooperation from both spouses, especially if you want to settle outside of court. Property division may be one of the biggest points of contention in your divorce, as it usually involves many thousands of dollars’ worth of valuable assets that must be split up. If you need help negotiating a marital property settlement, consider working with a Wheaton, IL divorce lawyer.

At Roberts PC, we have the resources and experience to help you work out a fair property agreement with your spouse. We will do everything we can to help you settle outside of court to save money, but we are also willing to take your case to trial if it means protecting your interests.

Three Negotiation Tips During Asset Division

Get a Full Picture of Your Assets

Before you start to barter for marital property, you should make sure that you know what your marital estate is worth. You might have numerous assets to account for, including:

• The marital home

• Vehicles

• Investments

• Bank accounts

• Retirement funds

• Business interests

• Valuable jewelry and artwork

Getting a full valuation of all of your assets is important. Once the divorce is finalized, you cannot change your property settlement except in very rare cases. An attorney can assist with the discovery process, which involves you and your spouse inquiring about each other’s assets so that you are both fully informed.

Know What You Want

It sounds simple, but identifying your main priorities in property division can lead to a more productive discussion with your spouse. Essentially, you should ask yourself what properties you want to keep (whether for their value or for sentimental purposes) and what you are willing to let go of. If you are willing to make some concessions for lower-priority assets, you can potentially safeguard what matters most to you.

Whenever you give up property in negotiations, you should be certain that the proposed deal is fair. An attorney can advise you during asset division to make sure that the settlement is in your best interests.

Stay Focused on the Settlement

Some spouses give up on negotiations when they realize that they cannot get exactly what they want. While it may be tempting to give up on negotiating with a stubborn ex and go straight to court, the potential costs may outweigh the benefits. Between various court and attorneys’ fees, you may end up losing more property from aggressive litigation than you originally stood to gain.

If you and your spouse have reached an impasse, you could try mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution (710 ILCS 35/2). A mediator can help smooth over negotiations by proposing creative solutions, keeping you and your spouse on track for an amicable property settlement. 

Contact a Naperville, IL Asset Division Attorney

At Roberts PC, we can provide you with strong legal advice and counsel during divorce negotiations, keeping you informed of your rights while exploring all options to resolve property disputes outside of court. To schedule a free consultation with our Wheaton, IL divorce lawyers, call us at 630-668-4211 today.