What is a Marriage Bio & Why would it help you?
A Marriage Bio tells the story of how you met, the marriage, when things began to shift, and what it’s like currently. It helps to have a concise document that can enable the lawyer to get a snapshot of what is going on.
By taking the time to write it out, you can slowly remove emotion from the equation and be able to objectly, as much as you can, to present the problems and try to express what you are looking to have as your end result with the divorce. It can be overhwleming to write it all at once, so take it in chunks:
- When/How did you meet?
- What was it that you loved about your spouse?
- When did things began to shift in a different direction?
- What have you done to try to resolve your issues?
- How come you are filing for divorce?
- What results are you wanting once divorced?
Write it all out, put in a drawer and walk away. Once it’s settled a bit, go back in and review it, adjusting as nessasary to create a clear picture that an outsider can understand.
One time, I had a client write out her bio and send it ahead of time to her mediator. This would allow her to use her time productively in creating a plan of action. You pay for each lawyer you meet with, use the time to vett them and see if they are a good fit after they have read your Bio and give you suggestions. In my opinion, I would much rather be proactive when vetting a lawyer than have to relive the issues over and over again. You may pay a little bit for the time it took for the lawyer to read the marriage bio, but not nearly as much as in person.
By writing a marriage bio, you will save time, money and energy. You will feel more in control of your divorce and not get caught up in all the emotional exhaustion of retelling your story over and over.
Now, go make yourself a cup of tea and get busy!