6 Things to Do Post-Divorce

Divorce is a significant life event. It’s not just about ending a marriage – it’s about starting a new life.

It can take time to adjust to the changes, but there are steps you can take to make the process easier. Here are six things to do post-divorce:

1. Grieve

Many people think they need to be strong for their children after their divorce is final and try not to show much emotion. However, this can cause issues later on down the road if you do not allow yourself time to grieve over what happened in your relationship with your ex-spouse.

It is essential for both parties involved in the divorce process to take time to adequately mourn what has happened between them and move on without letting old feelings bottle up and continue affecting their lives.

2. Be Kind to Yourself

Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes you made during the marriage or during the divorce process. Instead of focusing on what was wrong with your marriage, focus on what went well in your relationship and how hard you’ve worked to make this transition go smoothly.

3. Change Your Name

If you’ve just gone through a divorce, you may be wondering what to do about your name. If you want to keep your married name, it’s possible, but there are many reasons why you might want to change it back to your maiden name.

Be prepared for some people to get confused or upset — especially if they have known you for years under a different name — but don’t let them make you feel guilty about moving forward with your life.

4. Create a Paper Trail

If you have children and property, this is a critical step in protecting yourself and ensuring that you don’t have any surprises down the line.

Create papers that show all pertinent information about child support, alimony, and other payments from one party to another after the divorce has been finalized. Keep copies of all documents for yourself so that you have access to them later on if necessary.

5. Talk to Your Kids About What’s Going On

It’s natural for children to worry when their parents divorce because it affects the lifestyle they are used to. Both parents need to explain what will happen next and be honest about how they feel about what happened between them and their ex-spouse so that kids don’t feel confused or alone with their emotions.

Try using books, movies, or other resources that help explain divorce in an age-appropriate way so kids know they’re not alone in this challenging situation.

6. Get Out of Debt

If you’re going through a divorce, now is the time to get your finances under control. Don’t buy anything you can’t afford, and pay off any debt with high-interest rates first.

Consider consolidating all of your debts into one manageable monthly payment if it’s feasible for your budget (and if you can find someone who will refinance at lower interest rates).

Get back on track financially by setting aside money every month for savings and retirement accounts (and put it aside before paying other expenses).

Navigate Post-Divorce Life with Help from Michigan’s Experts

At Gucciardo Family Law, we understand that post-divorce life can be an emotional and challenging time. We are here to help you make the right steps and create the best foundation for your new future. To learn more about how our team of experts can help you, please chat with us today.