As sad as it may be, it is thought that around half of all marriages in the United States end in separation or divorce. That is a pretty sobering fact, but there are, of course, many reasons why it happens. For some couples, things no longer are working, and they are happier out of the marriage than in it. Some end up being more like friends than life partners and some sadly end in infidelity or even violence.
What is important that when a couple decides that their marriage is over is that they both know what steps to take, in terms of the law, practicality and their emotions. Here, we look at how to deal with the breakdown of a marriage to make it just that little less stressful for all involved.
Are you safe?
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Domestic violence and abuse are reported in about a quarter of all divorce cases. If this is a contributing factor to your relationship’s demise, you need to make sure you are safe. Make plans to move and find a new place to stay until you start divorce proceedings. Tell your family and friends about your situation, or seek help from one of the several refuges or organizations that operate to assist people who are victims of domestic violence. You may also want to seek advice from a domestic violence defense attorney.
Are you likely to reconcile?
Couples do not always want to divorce, but they recognize that they cannot continue to be married and live together as they are. If you both want to keep the relationship going, you must both put in the effort and time necessary to make it work. Of course, this is much more difficult than it seems, particularly if you have small children occupying your time and energy, or if you are dealing with financial or job problems, which add a dimension of stress to your life. You may want to look into marriage counselling, which will help you work through any problems you’re having with the assistance of a knowledgeable, objective, and professional mediator. Be mindful that this path will sometimes reveal issues that you were unaware of.
Talk about it
The end of a marriage, no matter how cordial it appears to be, may be one of the most devastating and traumatic periods in a person’s life. If you’re having trouble getting to grips with it or moving on, don’t be afraid to reach out for help and support. It could come from family and friends, the doctor, or a specialist like a therapist.
Look after yourself
After a divorce or breakup, it’s important to take care of yourself. As previously said, they can be almost traumatic, so take care of yourself. Make a plan to look forward to, such as taking a vacation you’ve always wanted to take, but your former spouse wouldn’t, or enrolling in a new hobby or class. Make the most of your newfound independence by living the life you want to live and moving forward.