Initiating a divorce proceeding is a stressful time. A divorce can take several weeks, months, or even years to finalize, depending on various factors. Plus, going through the emotions of a divorce can distract the spouse from work obligations. Here’s how to successfully manage a divorce and a career.
How long could divorce proceedings affect a career?
Numerous factors influence how long a divorce takes to finalize, and the timeframe affects the working spouse. State laws heavily dictate the length of divorce proceedings. However, a range of individual facts related to each case also determine how long the legal process will ultimately take.
For example, the court will look closely at issues related to the divorce: spousal support, child support, child custody, division of debt, and the distribution of property. Examining these matters requires time; so, spouses can expect to devote a number of weeks, months, or years to finalize a divorce.
Obtaining a final order also depends on several other factors, such as whether the case is contested or uncontested and whether or not a prenuptial agreement is in place. The amount of assets to be divided between the spouses can influence the time it takes to complete the divorce.
Some states require a waiting period before the divorce. Illinois couples filing for divorce, though, do not have a waiting period. Illinois law may require a waiting period of up to six months for a contested divorce. The greater the number of unresolved issues, the longer the divorce will be.
What emotions distract divorcing spouses from work?
Divorce can trigger a rollercoaster of emotions. Oftentimes, these emotions are referred to as the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Denial is experienced by spouses who do not initiate the divorce and may delay their response to divorce papers.
Anger is felt by both spouses; blame and rage are distracting emotions. Bargaining occurs at the third stage, where both spouses weigh the odds and try to negotiate. Depression is a long and sometimes debilitating stage, as the reality of the situation settles in. Acceptance is the final, peaceful stage.
What tips help divorcing spouses manage a career?
Experiencing the overwhelming emotions that accompany a divorce will likely distract a spouse from her career. Add the length of time a divorce takes—anywhere from two months to several years—and the focus and dedication to a career will be interrupted.
Tip 1: Inform the Employer
Divorce is common, so divorcees do not need to feel alone. Nevertheless, work performance may slightly suffer as a result of the emotional turmoil experienced during the divorce. By letting colleagues know about the divorce, they can help the divorcing spouse stay accountable.
Inform the employer in writing about the divorce, as time off may be necessary for court dates and meetings with lawyers. Surprisingly, a boss may lend a sympathetic ear. While speaking with a boss about the divorce, suggest ways to make up for work missed during time off.
Tip 2: Take Vacation Days
Taking a few vacation days can help a spouse feel grounded. Rather than take a month off to restabilize, request two or three days off every few weeks. Turn vacation days into personal time, focusing on feeling the range of emotions caused by the divorce and learning to self-soothe.
Tip 3: Establish New Career Goals
Divorce is a volatile, unstable situation. Work, however, can be a stabilizing component. Some spouses initially altered career goals to be compatible with a partner’s aspirations. During a divorce, career-minded individuals may take the event as an opportunity to establish new professional goals.
Examples of career goals may include learning a new job-related skill, joining events at the office, strengthening weak areas, enhancing work output or sales, and requesting additional responsibilities. Set attainable goals at first to prevent discouragement, since goals can be progressively increased.
Tip 4: Engage in Self-Care
Self-care routines prevent the divorcing spouse from experiencing burnout at work. Schedule two mornings before work for physical exercise and the weekend for a relaxing bath. Build activities that promote positive feelings into each day, which helps support the right mindset for work.
Tip 5: Accept Support
A divorce is a major life change, one that requires substantial time for healing. Recovering from a divorce may require that a spouse lean on family, friends, colleagues, or leaders for support. Spouses who accept the help from a support network will be on a quicker road to recovery.
A divorce can push an individual into a more fulfilling professional direction. Divorcees with strong emotions about the divorce have used them to focus on work in new ways and help others. Promotions from working harder and improved relationships with a boss can occur in the midst of a divorce.
How We Can Help
Divorce is an exceptionally stressful time for working spouses. But an experienced and skilled divorce attorney from Allen Gabe Law, PC, will focus on the legal aspects of divorce so that you have the time and energy to focus on healing and continue growing in your career.
Our competent divorce lawyers handle the resolution of various divorce concerns, such as child custody, spousal support, and the division of property. Attorneys from our family law firm will determine what assets count as marital property, which is a necessary step for the division of property.
The amount of spousal support will be influenced by the salaries of both spouses as well as the length of marriage and lifestyle during the union. Our divorce lawyers will determine if you are eligible to receive spousal support and, if so, will negotiate a fair amount.
Whether you are pursuing a contested or uncontested divorce, rely on Allen Gabe Law, PC, for expert legal advice and representation. Our 60 years of legal experience ensures that your divorce will move as swiftly as possible, so you can refocus on your career. Call for a free consultation.
