The realization that your marriage is over is something that can be hard to handle. Once you know that you’re heading for divorce, it’s best if you can get as prepared as possible before the papers are filed.
Some people who are heading toward divorce don’t think about every way this major life change may impact them. Here are three points for you to consider if you know that divorce is in your future.
#1: You’ll have a range of emotions
Many people think that divorce is a happy time, especially for the person who initiated it. Even if you want the divorce, you’re still going to move through a range of emotions, including sadness. The difficult emotions can creep up on you when you least expect them to happen.
#2: You may lose friends
It surprises some people when they lose friends when they divorce. This is often the case when someone was friends with you and your ex. It might not be that they’re choosing sides. They may not be able to fathom the thought of you ending the marriage or they may decide to just stay out of the entire situation.
#3: Divorce isn’t a quick process
Some people assume that divorce is a quick process, but it usually isn’t. For most people who are going through a divorce, property division is going to take time. If you have children, you’ll also have to worry about getting the parenting plan together. Ultimately, be prepared to have this drag on for a while.
Make sure that you take steps to protect yourself during the divorce. This can be challenging, especially if you’re still emotional about the breakup. Having a divorce team that can help you to explore your options and determine how each will impact you may take some of the stress out of the situation.