Divorce will likely be one of the most challenging times of your life, so it’s important to have support. Gathering the right people around you can relieve some of the strain and help you make better-informed decisions.
Here are some of the people to consider asking for help when your marriage is ending:
Family and friends
These people can offer vital support and will probably be only too willing to help. Things they can do include offering a shoulder to cry on, or some laughs to lighten the mood when the divorce is getting you down. Some might even give you somewhere to stay if you decide to move out during the divorce or just need a few nights away from your spouse.
If you have children, friends and family can do things such as picking the kids up from school when you can’t make it because you have a meeting about your divorce. They might even take them for a few days to give you a break so you can focus on your divorce. They can also help your children understand what is happening and answer questions that your children might not feel comfortable asking you or your spouse right now.
A therapist
Divorce can be a very emotional affair, and having a trained listener can help you understand more about how you are feeling and what you want for your life moving forward. You might even choose to attend some sessions with your spouse to help smooth the path for dealing with each other going forward, which is particularly needed if you share kids.
A legal representative
Divorce, just like marriage, is a legal matter as well as a personal one. Having the appropriate guidance can help you understand what state law expects from you — and what you’re entitled to receive — and that can be crucial to getting an appropriate outcome without undue issues along the way.