The Harsh Realities of Divorce

The divorce process, while it may be a difficult one, is often necessary. The harsh realities of divorce can take a toll on children and other family members. If you’re going through a divorce, here are the harsh realities you probably never thought you would encounter.

Divorce Can Be Tough On Children

Children can be the most affected by the harsh realities of divorce. They may find it difficult to adjust to such a significant change in their lives emotionally and at home. A Tampa divorce lawyer may suggest for children to speak with a therapist after a divorce or separation. The therapist can then set up an environment where children can talk about their feelings and express themselves without being judged or criticized. Speaking to schoolteachers and requesting accommodations can also help children to adjust through this challenging time.

Your Finances Will Change

It’s natural to think about the financial implications of divorce. You may be concerned about your future income if you’re switching to full-time work, the effect of your alimony payments on your monthly budget, or how much you’ll have to pay in child support. Divorce doesn’t necessarily mean making less money than when you were married; in fact, it may mean an increase in your take-home pay.

But divorce will probably affect your income, and it may reduce your standard of living.

Your Benefits Will Change

Health insurance is a benefit many employers provide for employees, but not all do so equally. Some companies offer their staff a choice between two or more health plans – with different levels of coverage and cost-sharing arrangements. Other employers may have only one plan available or no plan at all. If you have coverage under a spouse’s policy, you’ll typically lose it after divorce is finalized. In addition to losing your primary source of medical insurance, there may be other changes in your benefits, from transportation reimbursements to educational assistance programs.

Deciding Who Stays in the House

Many couples choose to live separately during a divorce. If you and your spouse can’t agree about who will move out, the court may order that one of you does so – or it may give both of you time to figure out what works best for you. In some cases, even if the house is joint-owned and mortgages are joint-held, only one spouse is ordered to stay (unless both parties make other arrangements).

Homes aren’t the only complicated issue: What happens with cars and other vehicles? Which parent gets them? Who pays for maintenance and insurance? These are also critical house-related decisions.