You’ve probably heard that half of all marriages in the US end in divorce. That’s not quite true. It’s 43% of all first marriages end in divorce according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Is it a disease, getting divorced? That’s another article. What matters is that divorce is a fact in modern America. Knowing that you’re not alone doesn’t make it easier, however. Ending a marriage is a life crisis that can feel like a liberation, or more often, one of the most traumatic experiences you’ll ever go through. It’s been equated to the death of someone close to you, or moving hou ..read more

Often, the most pressing divorce question for parents is how will custody of the children be determined. In most states, if the couple cannot agree on the custody arrangement, custody will be determined by a “best interest” standard and on a case-by-case basis. In many states, the courts now also consider the wishes of the children. This makes sense. After all, custody impacts children more than anyone else so children should have a say in where they live and how much time they spend with each parent. A child’s voice is not meant to be dispositive on the issue of custody, or the ultimate deter ..read more

Even if you spend a fortune having your gray roots tinted every month, this doesn’t mean your divorce will be harder than if you were in your thirties or forties. On the contrary, gray hair – and a gray divorce, considered a divorce at age 50 or older – are a state of mind. Sure, circumstances are different the longer you’ve been married. Your children are older and probably have left home. You’re not battling the same issues – child maintenance shouldn’t be a problem if the kids are independent. You’ve probably downsized your home, which means some of your joint assets are easier to divide. B ..read more

Divorce is always a topic that comes with a lot of emotional baggage and societal judgments — especially for women. And if you landed on this page, you might be thinking about divorce or just beginning the process (stay strong!). In either case, it is natural to wonder about the future and its unpredictability. You might wonder, “Will I ever be happy after divorce, or am I kidding myself?” These fears and self-doubt are par for the course and part of the emotional journey. It’s normal and OKAY to feel uncertain about what will happen next. After all, chances are you’ve never been here before ..read more

Divorce isn’t easy, and when you are thinking about it or even in the midst of it, it’s natural that concerns for your children are particularly pressing. One of the worst fears you might torment yourself with is child abandonment in a divorce. What happens down the road when you lose control of what your child is exposed to in your Ex’s house? As your thoughts start whirling, you might go so far as to fear more—you might not even know if your child is fed or cared for. You might not even know if your child is left alone or abandoned as a result of the divorce. Or, do you fear repercussio ..read more

Let’s accept that you are not tying the knot to one day, untie it and get divorced. No one expects their marriage to unravel, but as life evolves, this could unexpectedly happen for whatever reason. And if it does, the fears around the financial burden you might face could make you feel lost and unprotected. What could ease this situation (and act as an insurance policy) is a prenuptial agreement. In a prenup, you and your partner clarify what you want from the marriage and your financial responsibility to one another. A prenup could protect your future because marriages are closely enmeshed w ..read more

Claire sits across from her husband, Peter, as his iPhone dings for the third consecutive time. They’re trying to enjoy their monthly date night at the trendy French bistro on the Upper West Side. Claire notices he no longer allows his notifications to dance across the screen—this has been going on for the past couple of months. His phone dings again and he quickly turns the ringer to silent, as if he knows Claire might ask who’s calling him at 9:30 p.m. on a weeknight. Claire has that gut-wrenching feeling that it’s the beautiful woman who is working on the new project with him at work. She’s ..read more

Finding love after divorce is like maneuvering through a minefield. After the trauma of separation and starting a new life, it’s hard to believe that one day you’ll be ready to be part of a new relationship. But many people do tackle the dating game and find new soulmates, companions, and surprising friends. As a divorcee, I have mixed feelings about entering a new relationship. But nobody reacts the same way to divorce. It depends on how your marriage ended and how long it takes you to recover. It also depends on how damaged and traumatized you are after the harrowing experience of ending you ..read more

When deciding to file for divorce, most of us feel lost. Divorce isn’t typically part of the marriage plan, but life changes, and you may have to face it. As you learn about the process, you may find the nuances of how to file and the different types of divorces complicated. This article will focus on grounds for divorce, or, in other words, the reason you are seeking a divorce. All states have a no-fault ground for divorce. This means that neither you nor your partner is blamed for the divorce. However, many states also allow for a fault-based divorce, where you are required to provide proof ..read more

So, you have come to the conclusion that you need to divorce your spouse. You are in shock that your marriage has come to this, it feels like a death has taken place. Your thoughts and feelings are racing and the practical side of things can seem so hard to manage. It can be chaotic. Divorce is one of the most stressful events a person can ever experience. You need to be aware that at this time divorce care for yourself is a must. Keep your head and your heart as calm as you can while you work a thousand things out. Remember to look after yourself first, while you look after the kids and other ..read more