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Your marriage is over, for all intents and purposes. Nevertheless, you and your spouse have agreed to wait until after the holidays to officially start the process to divorce. While this may have seemed like a reasonable decision at the time, you now realize you have to slog through the holidays like a happily married couple to avoid ruining the festive joy for everyone else.

This may seem like an impossible task, especially if you are starting to feel like you just want the whole thing to be over so you can get on with your life. Still, there are some things you can do so this holiday season is not a stressful and frustrating time for you and everyone around you.

Work together to get through it

Divorce is a fact of life, and the holidays can be especially difficult. Expectations are high, and disappointment often follows. In fact, the period following the winter holidays is often the busiest season for divorce attorneys. This may not relieve the stress you are feeling when you consider the dinners, parties and intimate family gatherings ahead.

Whether some people already know some details or no one knows anything, you may want a game plan to anticipate any confrontations about your marriage. If you and your spouse are on the same page before you attend any of these events, you may avoid some awkward moments and tense arguments in the hours and days afterward. Ideally, you and your spouse can decide the following:

• If you will share any information or discuss your divorce plans during holiday events
• How much information you will disclose
• Which friends or relatives with whom you choose not to discuss your private matters
• How you will behave toward each other during the holiday gatherings
• Which gatherings you may be better off avoiding altogether this year

Additionally, it is only decent to let your spouse know who in your circles, if anyone, is already privy to information about your marriage. This can spare your spouse the embarrassment of having your cousin or coworker blindside your spouse with personal questions or accusations.

Making your own plans

While you may have decided to postpone your legal proceedings until after the holidays, you can still be making plans to protect yourself when the time comes. The more information you have about your rights under Georgia law, the more likely you are to obtain a fair settlement or court order in your divorce. A skilled attorney can provide you with facts and options that can help you make prudent decisions.