Divorce is typically viewed as an exclusively legal process. However in reality, divorce is more complicated than filing legal paperwork. Its many facets bring out financial, emotional and practical issues.
Fortunately, many women today are already starting to realise their need for different layers of professional help. If your marriage is failing, and you feel that a divorce is already imminent, it is best to start putting together a team comprised of different professionals who can help you face the various issues involved in a divorce.
Divorce team professionals
• Start with a divorce attorney
A divorce involves much legal paperwork. A family law attorney will be able to help you with that. Aside from preparing the necessary legal documents, the role of an attorney in a divorce team also includes providing legal counsel, assisting in the resolution of areas of dispute, and working together with other team members to guide the client through the entire divorce process.
• Look for a financial advisor
While a divorce is a legal proceeding, its success for your family may also involve financial planning, parenting and communication. While attorneys provide invaluable help for legal issues, other professionals may be able to give better assistance in other issues.
For example, if you are concerned about meeting your financial expenses without the help of your ex-husband, then you are far more likely to get valuable guidance by working with a financial advisor rather than with an attorney.
A financial advisor will be able to assist in developing a budget in order to meet monthly expenses, especially if you have children.
A divorce can be expensive. It may bring about a sudden change in financial standing, and consequently, in our standard of living. A financial advisor will be able to provide us with much needed financial guidance.
With professional help, it will also be easier to prepare financial documents needed for the divorce in court. An advisor will also be able to determine the best way to evaluate assets and liabilities, and prepare options for their division.
• Look for a child specialist
If you are concerned about how to properly provide care and guidance to your children after the divorce, then you are far more likely to get support with the help of a child specialist than with a lawyer.
A child specialist can help you and your spouse to properly discuss the divorce with the children. Even if your marital relationship with your spouse has already come to an end, you still have parental responsibilities to your children.
A co-parenting plan will be able to help you in nurturing your children. With his expertise in child development, the specialist can also help determine the needs of your children, and set goals in order to meet these needs.
Before hiring a child specialist, check if the person is licensed as a mental health professional.
• Look for a therapist or counsellor
Another mental health professional that you can benefit from is a therapist or counsellor. A therapist can help you go through and manage your emotions. With a sound mind, you can be in good shape to make decisions regarding the case.
Professionals such as therapists, child specialists and financial advisers can take care of some of the work done by the attorney. This will allow you to get skilled help that focuses on your specific concerns at a lower rate.
• Remember to turn to your friends
While professionals will be able to lend their expertise, your family and friends will be the best people to give you comfort. A divorce involves intense feelings such as grief, regret, confusion and anger.
Instead of pushing down on your emotions, find a good friend to talk to. Air out all of those negative feelings to someone you are completely comfortable with.
This article first appeared in thenewsavvy.com
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