All legal consequences of divorce aside, it is important to remember that divorce is an extremely emotional time for all parties involved. The loss of a partner is difficult and the grief of the separation can be manifest similarly to how one grieves after the death of a loved one. Even if your friend was the instigator of the divorce, they are still going to feel alone if they do not have a good support system to turn to.

Listening to your friend’s concerns may be all it takes, but more than likely they will need healthy distractions and a good friend to make sure they get back on their feet. There is nothing you can do to fix the situation. Try to actively listen and be patient with them. Regularly invite your friend to do enjoyable one-on-one activities with you like camping, running, fishing, or rock climbing. If you see signs of excessive drinking or drug use as coping methods, suggest helpful professional resources to them like a good therapist or family law attorney. Unless you are a therapist, try not to diagnose a friend’s symptoms as depression or anxiety. Everyone handles stress and loss differently, so the safest and quickest way to recovery is professional guidance.

A friend going through divorce may turn to you now more than they ever have before. It is important for you to let them know that you want to listen, help, and support them through it. Not only will your friend need emotional support, but they may have a hard time completing regular tasks without the partnership of their spouse. Wherever possible,s offer to help your friend take care of housekeeping, landscaping, errands, and maintenance issues they may not have the motivation or time for. When children are involved, be mindful of the children’s needs and offer to help in whatever way you can. Creating a support group of friends and family members for a divorcee will ease their burden and ensure that your personal life does not suffer from trying to balance the burdens of your loved ones.

When you are going through a divorce, your personal life is often very unstable. It can be difficult to balance your emotional and physical well-being while maintaining your reputation as a business professional and a responsible parent. To avoid becoming overwhelmed by your added responsibilities, here are some tips to maintain the balance between your personal and professional life and avoid jeopardizing your career.

Keep it Private

While you may want to vent to co-workers about your frustrations, it really won’t help in the long run. If anything, it will only distract you and your co-workers from the work that needs to be done. Sharing your personal life with close friends is encouraged, but the workplace is not the appropriate setting to discuss your divorce. You should however talk to your boss privately to explain that while you are going through a personal matter, it will not affect your work ethic or your attitude in the workplace. Your boss can then help hold you accountable to that commitment.

Compartmentalize

Do your best to keep work at work and your personal life at home. Try not to make personal calls to your lawyer or your ex while at the office. Likewise, try not to run reports and make business calls while at home. Staying focused on your job while at work will increase your productivity and might even give you more time to take care of personal matters after hours. When you walk into the office, leave your personal problems at the door. You can pick them up when you leave for the day.

Use Time Off Wisely

You may have to take some time off to attend court hearings or pick up your children from various activities. The divorce process can take up to a year to finalize, so save those sick and vacation days for times when you need to take care of divorce matters. Working as much as you can during this time period will help keep your mind off the grief. It will also ensure you have more income to take care of yourself and your children.

Take Care of Yourself

The emotional turmoil of divorce can often lead to a lack of motivation. It is important that you keep up healthy habits such as proper diet and exercise, hygiene and housekeeping, and household budgeting. Staying on top of these things will prevent you from quickly becoming overwhelmed with your responsibilities in the home. Get enough sleep so you have enough energy to function well at work.

Most importantly, don’t forget to have a little fun. Cherish the time you get to spend with your children and make time for friends and family on the weekends. Occasionally reward yourself with “you-time” by doing something you love.

Whether you are the one filing for divorce or you were served with papers out of the blue, the overwhelming question of “What do I do now?” strikes stay-at-home mothers harder than most. Before you panic, take comfort in knowing that Brad Crider and his team of experienced family law attorneys are here to help you. With his expertise in the Complex Division of Assets and Debts, Brad will help you gain financial stability to ensure you and your children are taken care of throughout the divorce process. Here are some tips for stay-at-home moms to consider when meeting with your trusted Crider Family Law attorney.

Before you meet with an attorney, you will want to get a good handle on your present financial situation. Obtain documentation of all your assets and debts to show to your attorney so that he can determine your net worth independently of your spouse. Some of these documents include:

1. Tax returns
2. Mortgage statements
3. Checking and Savings account statements for the past 2 years
4. A list of all debts in your and/or your spouse’s name
5. Statements from IRA accounts, pension plans, or mutual funds
6. Title, registration, and outstanding debts on all vehicles

What you learn from your attorney and financial planner will help you determine what opportunities you have for re-employment and/or continuing education.

With this information, you should begin making a plan for your future. It is unlikely you will be able to continue the same lifestyle you had before, so plan ahead and be proactive. Begin exploring what opportunities you have available to you and make a list of things you would like to accomplish in the near future. Begin by finding ways to meet your basic needs, such as finding housing, income, and care for your children. If you have been unemployed for quite some time, this may seem daunting. However, you have probably developed several marketable skills and unique interests since becoming a stay-at-home mother. Use your resources to network with family, friends, old co-workers, your community, and ask your attorney for help.

At Crider Law, we understand that every circumstance is different and unique. Our informed and experienced attorneys will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your children.

Mediation can be a useful process for couples going through a divorce who want to avoid the courtroom. By agreeing to meet for mediation on a voluntary basis, the couple can discuss the points of their divorce and, hopefully, resolve any conflicts without having to go before a judge. Though a neutral third-party mediator may be present, along with attorneys representing their clients, the ultimate goal for a mediation session is to allow the divorcing couple to settle things on their own.

Mediation can be used to resolve a multitude of issues including the following:

• Division of Property
• Child Support
• Parenting Time
• Spousal Maintenance
• Taxes

Parties might turn to mediation both during and after a divorce as different issues arise.

If you or a loved one is facing mediation, there are some key things you might consider that will help you be better prepared and ensure your mediation time is spent in the best way possible. Because it is a legal matter, you’ll want to be careful how much time is spent in mediation.

1. Know the Issues

Be sure that, as you head into mediation, you are well aware of the issues at hand. Discuss your strategy carefully with your attorney and come prepared with the correct documentation. Consider what your demands are and their priority in your life. For example, you may want to be better prepared for issues regarding your parenting time rather than how to split up the furniture.

2. Choose Your Battles

As you prepare to go to mediation, you might ask yourself what you feel is most worth fighting for. You’ll want to choose carefully as you decide what issues are most important to you. The last thing you’ll want to do is spend precious mediation time, which typically includes attorney fees, fighting or arguing over something that isn’t that big of a deal. It’s easier to decide before you enter mediation what issues you’re willing to be flexible on rather than waiting until the heat of the moment when tempers may be hot.

3. Understand the Risk

You may go into mediation with high expectations only to end up disappointed with the outcome. Take some time to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally of how you will deal with the possibility of not settling in mediation. Not only should you consider your emotions, but also how much you’re willing to fight for your cause. Are you willing to go to the next level and take it to court? Are you able to afford that? What happens if you go to court and lose? Taking a step back and looking at the big picture can help you be more prepared for mediation.

Having an experienced attorney in your corner can make a big difference as you prepare for mediation. You’ll be able to rely on their expertise and experience. A good family law attorney, such as Brad Crider, will work with you to make sure you are prepared and ready for mediation.