You've spent a considerable amount of time, effort and energy building your reputation in your community, and your name and your business are closely linked.

That means that a very public, very acrimonious divorce could be a disaster for you in more than one way. Aside from trying to navigate the end of your marriage, you may struggle to keep the details of your divorce out of the public eye.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take that will mitigate the social fallout from your divorce. Here are a few to consider:

Make a non-disparagement clause part of the process

When spouses start “slinging mud” at each other, everybody is going to get dirty. If you and your spouse can agree to a non-disparagement clause as part of the divorce process, that can effectively keep both of you from speaking negatively about the other in front of the kids, to neighbors and on social media.

Get a confidentiality agreement regarding the details

A confidentiality agreement is particularly useful if there are salacious details that would damage your reputation or your spouse's (or both). It can also keep certain information that you might not want your children to hear (especially if infidelity was involved on either side) quiet.

Make a case with your spouse for an uncontested divorce

You and your spouse have a lot of control over how your divorce proceeds. If you don't want to end up in litigation, you need to try to resolve any areas of contention in your divorce between you so that you can have an uncontested divorce. If you're able to craft a fair agreement between you, you can avoid a lot of hearings and other court appearances that go on the public record. Since your spouse may also have an invested interest in managing their reputation, this could be entirely possible.

When privacy is a big concern in your divorce, make sure that you prioritize it. Experienced legal guidance may also be effective in guiding you to a drama-free divorce.