Going through a divorce is a life-altering process that can take an emotional toll. Aside from a relationship or family breaking, there are a substantial amount of logistics that need to be covered.

Try not to feel overwhelmed, though. We’re going to share ways to cope with the hardships of a divorce, as well as some of the items you’ll want to take care of as soon as possible.

• Hire an Attorney

There are a substantial amount of legalities involved with a divorce. There are assets to divide, alimony, and child support if you have children together.

Negotiating isn’t an easy process to do on your own, especially when there are high levels of emotions to navigate. Hiring an attorney of family law to assist when filing for divorce can give you peace of mind knowing you don’t have to navigate it alone.

• Allow for Grieving

Whether you’re the one who is filing for divorce or the one being served the papers, there is room for grief. If anything, it’s healthy to grieve. You’re not just losing a person, but you’re also losing a future in a relationship you thought you’d have.

Allow yourself the space to feel your emotions. It’ll help throughout the divorce process, and for life moving forward, not to suppress your feelings.

• Divorce Takes Time

In a perfect world, divorce would be as simple as signing a piece of paper and moving on with your life. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality.

Because of all the logistics involved, as well as the court to consider, it’s going to take some time for the divorce to be final. Take your time and work with your attorney to help speed up the process as best you can.

• Seek Support

The pandemic increased divorce rates dramatically. The mental, emotional, and even physical strain drove couples to part ways. But if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we don’t have to go through hardships alone.

Seek support while going through the process. This could be in the form of family, friends, online support groups, or a therapist. Your mental well-being is important to be able to create a life for yourself after the divorce is final.

• Get Your Assets in Order

You may not be ready for this part, but the sooner it’s done, the sooner you can take the next step. Make a list of all the assets you jointly own and their associated values. These are things such as:

• Property
• Joint Bank Accounts
• Credit Cards and Coinciding Debt
• Gifts
• Inheritance
• Furniture
• Miscellaneous Belongings

If you can be amicable, it’s easier to work together while making this list. If not, seek help from your family law attorney to assure you’re being fair in the eyes of the court.

• Take Care of Yourself

This means both physically and mentally. Because this is a sad time when you’re experiencing loss, you may see a decline in your mental health. This typically coincides with your physical health as well.

It’s important to maintain your health throughout the process. Continue eating your regular meals and keep your refrigerator filled. Go outside and walk. Exercise throughout the week. Fill your cup with things that are beneficial for your mental health. 

• Look Towards the Future

According to research by sociologists, planning makes people happier. Start looking towards your future. What do you want it to look like?

This could be a time to reinvent yourself. Perhaps you want to move and have a fresh start. Start planning for your new future to keep you focused and maintain a sense of hope.

Summary

Getting through a divorce is hard – there’s no way around it. What’s most important is to take care of yourself.

Allow yourself grace and compassion. Seek help from a professional attorney as well as support from your friends and family. Lastly, keep your eyes on the future you desire.