Ending your marriage is one of the most difficult decisions you can make. It’s a painful process that often takes years from which to heal. Of course, the legal process itself and the division of assets can be as difficult as the emotional pain. Many couples turn what should be a civil process into a bitter fight, and it can have lingering effects on them and their loved ones. Here are a couple of tips for having a clean division of assets.

First, be willing to give a little. There are things in the marriage that you know you want to take with you. You can encounter problems when you see taking possession of assets as a way to get back at your spouse. This will only cause you grief in the long run. If you don’t want it or don’t honestly feel entitled to it, then let it go. Doing this can create good will and ease the tension that’s usually inherent in this process.

Something else to consider is selling property. If you own a home, you can have an HOA management company come in and get the place ready while you sell the property and split the money. The bottom line is that at some point all your assets come down to a dollar amount and you have to be ready to split that dollar amount with your spouse.

Keeping a level head through the proceedings will help you achieve your goals. Remember this is not about a vendetta, but rather it’s about finding fairness in an unfair situation.