Getting divorced feels different for everyone, but there are some things everyone experiences. Here’s what to expect after filing for divorce – whether this is your first, second, or third time getting divorced. One thing I think all people getting divorced should consider is getting a divorce gift – something that pampers and comforts you.
“What to Expect After Filing for Divorce” image via me.
“The second you decide to divorce, you are giving up control over your child,” writes M. Gary Neuman in Emotional Infidelity: How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage. “You are also giving up control over your finances, and perhaps even where you will live.”
That’s one thing you can expect after filing for divorce: lack of control over your finances and children. However, this doesn’t affect everyone the same way. I know a guy who is moving back to his marital home, even though he and his wife have been divorced for six years. She has multiple sclerosis, and he is moving back to help her take care of their kids and the house. He didn’t expect this after filing for divorce…but married couples don’t expect it, either.
What to Expect After Filing for Divorce
Grief that your marriage is over. Maybe you pretended the divorce wouldn’t actually happen when he moved out, when he started talking about custody and alimony and child support payments. You put off seeing a divorce lawyer because it made things too “final.” You kept hoping he’d change his mind or come to his senses, or that you’d wake up and it’d all be a bad dream. But now that the divorce papers have been filed, you can expect to feel sadness. Or maybe a bit of relief as you finally start thinking about transitioning from marriage to divorce.
Weird triggers that cause pain. “Divorce, perhaps the greatest loss a persona will ever experience besides the death of a loved one, has its own unique set of grief triggers,” writes Susan Pease Gadoua in Stronger Day by Day: Reflections for Healing and Rebuilding After Divorce. “This is primarily due to the fact that the person from whom you are parting does not go away completely.” Another thing you can expect after filing for divorce is feeling the stabbing pain of grief at odd times. For instance, you may be driving down an unfamiliar street and suddenly see a restaurant that you and your ex-husband visited long ago. This may bring an unexpected wave of pain – especially if you felt relieved that the divorce papers were filed.
Serious considerations about your financial future. Knowing what to expect financially after filing for divorce is crucial to your future well-being. Do you have enough money to support yourself and your children, now that the papers are served? Will divorce create financial hardship, or do you have enough to live on? Divorce is one of the primary causes of poverty among women and children in North American (and around the world, no doubt). If you don’t know how you’ll support yourself or how to manage money after divorce, you need to start taking care of your finances immediately.
The disappointing loss of friends or family members. Divorce is hard on everyone, even friends and family members. Sometimes they take sides, and you’ll be crushed if they don’t side with you. It’ll be easier to cope with the loss if you expect to lose loved ones after – or even before – you’re served divorce papers. Divorce scares people, and creates allegiance that you’d never expect. Unfortunately, one of the things you can expect after filing for divorce are feelings that are intense, and which can break relationships that you thought would last a lifetime.
The need for professional, objective advice. Have you talked to a divorce mediator, real estate agent, lawyer, or financial planner? It’s important to start thinking about this as soon as possible. After filing for divorce may be a bit too late – but late is better than never! You might have to make decisions about suing for full custody of your children, or selling the house. What bit of advice have you been scared to take? What have you most dreaded doing? Now that the divorce papers have been served, maybe it’s time to take that step.
When you realized your marriage was over, you may have been shocked, confused, and disbelieving. Now that you’re learning what to expect after filing for divorce, you may be faced with a fresh tidal wave of grief. The trick to bouncing back after getting divorced is to grieve the divorce your own way. Crying? Writing? Screaming? Working? Traveling? Getting a new house? Seeing a counselor? Dating? Throwing yourself into motherhood?
Grieve, but challenge yourself to move forward in your life. What does this mean to you? After filing for divorce is the perfect time to start taking steps towards your own answers.
What happens after you file for divorce? I welcome your comments below. If you’re hoping to stay connected to your ex-husband, read Can Divorced Partners Be Friends?
