When couples decide to end their marriage, the spouses can experience vastly different emotions in the very beginning. For example, one spouse may initially experience great relief, as they are no longer burdened by constant arguments, while the other may initially experience some degree of sadness, as a divorce was something they never saw coming.
This can all change in the days, weeks and months that follow as the reality of the impending divorce sets in. In fact, some experts have found that this emotional fluctuation is simply too much for many spouses and results in them devoting all of their energy to the legal process rather than taking the necessary steps to address their issues.
However, these experts warn that choosing to focus solely on the legal process is perhaps an unrealistic proposition for many divorcing spouses as they simply can’t run away from their emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, etc.) and may even make certain mistakes by doing so.
For example, experts indicate that those divorcing spouses who choose to ignore their emotions during the divorce process will probably still find themselves looking for some sort of ally with whom they can share their frustrations. In many cases, these so-called allies are their own children.
Experts indicate that speaking poorly of a former spouse/parent in front of children or even attempting to limit their contact with the other parent is an unfair and unfortunate tactic. Specifically, they state that the parent going through the divorce gains nothing from this type of behavior, and that it can cause their children to experience a range of negative emotions including depression, guilt and anger.
The moral of the story, say experts, is that divorcing spouses should strongly consider devoting the necessary time and energy to speaking with a counselor or other professional to help guide them through this difficult time. While it’s certainly important to focus on the legal process, spouses should also remember that they already have a family law attorney working diligently on their behalf.
To learn more about dissolution of marriage, property division, spousal support, child custody or speaking with a mental health coach during your divorce, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.
Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog …
This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Huffington Post, “The 5 worst mistakes we make during a divorce,” Jeff Gardere, Feb. 18, 2013
