Men’s Divorce – The First Steps
What are the first few steps when hit with divorce news? When hearing that one’s wife wants a divorce, it is a blow that some guys even feel physically. Acknowledge that you are in shock and do not expect to make any rational decisions right away. It may feel like you are a robot going through the motions of daily life. Get some emotional support. Guys that I talked with said that they were too stoic – keeping a stiff upper lip. They did not know where to turn when they were numb with shock. Talk to a relative whom you feel close to and let them know you need to vent. This is not the moment to be on the receiving end of a lengthy list of tasks to do in divorce. Detailed divorce strategy comes later after you had time to process your feelings and to regroup. Maybe confide in a cousin or uncle because your parents may be in shock themselves. Reach out to others. This was the hardest thing to do, according to my male sources. They felt like they would be a burden to others or be perceived as weak if they mentioned their divorce woes. Go out for a pint with your mates and tell them what you are facing. Most likely they have pals who are divorced, if they are not themselves, and can clue you in on what to do next. Just expressing how you feel can take a weight off your shoulders. I guarantee that your wife has talked about getting a divorce with at least twenty girlfriends. Feeling like you are teetering on the brink of a breakdown is normal in divorce. Many have felt this way too, and we made it through our divorces with our sanity intact. Balance…
How to Parent Your Way After a Divorce
You may feel that you have ruined your child’s life following a divorce but do not fret because you haven’t. Yes, a divorce can play a large part in the life of a child but ultimately, how they develop, is down to both parents. There will be times where you may come across situations that are common following a divorce but how you deal with them is important, ensuring that your child does not get affected. It is important to understand that after a divorce you are going to find it difficult. You are likely to feel a whole range of emotions and so will your child but in reality you have every right to fall apart. Remember that you do not have to hide all of your feelings but do not tell them too much as it puts them in the position of an adult. Instead, explain that you are having a difficult time but it will become easier. Understanding that your child is also going through many different emotions is important but do not let guilt get the better of you so that you become more lenient. If they break rules then ensure that you enforce the same punishment as you would have previously. However, find out why they are behaving like this and see what they have to say. It is important that your child remains a child as many can often feel that they have to fill the void left by the other parent. If this happens then let your child know that they have to live their own life and not worry about how you care for yourself. Some children act out after a divorce for reasons such as unwanted changes, sad emotions and they may even feel that the divorce is their fault. Trying…
Can Exes be Friends Post-Divorce?
The simple answer to the question of can exes be friends after divorce is….it depends. Some people were great pals before marriage and want to continue this post-divorce. It is doable with these caveats. Let there be some space between your divorce and picking up the friendship. Both parties may not be over hurts or harbour some resentment over the divorce process itself. One may be farther along on the divorce continuum of moving on, and the other is stuck and not catching up. Waiting a bit helps in establishing clear boundaries and avoiding the “friends with benefits.” Jumping into bed immediately after divorce – when neither have sex partners – hampers starting separate lives. Meet up again when not feeling lonely or craving intimacy. Enlarge your circle of acquaintances and business networks, plus renew old friendships. Feeling fulfilled with your social life fills the void left by a departing spouse. Be proactive and inform your friends that you both are cool about your changed relationship and there is no need to take sides. Tell mutual friends that they are not being disloyal remaining in contact with the two of you. This alerts them that neither of you has to be dropped from their guest list nor is bumping into each other socially an issue. Avoid meeting at your favourite places that you frequented when married. Go to a new café or have more informal get-togethers at coffee houses. The point is not to relive your marriage when forging a new relationship with your former spouse. When the marital history is firmly anchored in the past, some divorced people claim that they are great judges of potential partners for their exes. They know these peoples’ strengths and weaknesses and can give an opinion on whether or not it is a good…
Avoiding Financial Mistakes in Divorce
The way assets are split during a divorce can affect one’s financial future. One pitfall is not taking a careful look at what is best in your particular situation. Consider hiring an independent financial advisor to go over the asset inventory and get a balance between cash and retirement investments. One splits the total value of assets, not necessarily the individual ones themselves. 1. Determine which investments have a greater potential for a higher yield. A money market account is safe but will not accumulate as much interest as a more diversified portfolio. I am earning 5% or more on my intermediate bond index. My investment with various stocks is more volatile, although long-term gains will hopefully make up for occasional losses. A financial expert is not working on commission and can give some guidance on which types of investments are best to receive in your divorce. I made the mistake of not taking more in a retirement account and am trying to catch up with that now. Keep in mind that investments have different tax consequences. Discover if an investment will be taxed at a later date and at what rate. Other investments may be tax-free. When there is much wealth to be split, have a tax expert working with the financial advisor right from the start. 2. A receiver is taxed for alimony, but not for child support. The payor gets a tax break for paying alimony, but not for child support. If your children are young, consider taking the bulk of your maintenance as child support, so you get to keep it as opposed to paying taxes on it. If you have teenagers and your alimony continues after child support ends, it may be better to take the bulk of it as alimony (I did this option). 3….
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
© 2023 Wendi’s Tips. All Rights Reserved. Website by Noventum