The Effects Of Divorce From Harlem To Hollywood

According to Pew Research, divorce rates have gone up by 14% in the U.S. from 2007 to 2017.

Despite the increasing rates of divorce, it remains a difficult process for both parties and their children.

Although seeking a divorce is the most suitable option for both parties in some cases, it’s important to understand the effects of divorce on the social, psychological, and financial aspects of one’s life. Experts recommend that people turn to their close friends and family network for support during such a difficult time.

If you or a loved one is going through a separation, understanding the effects of divorce is the first step to developing healthy ways to cope. These effects can be different for both men and women, depending on their situation. Nevertheless, both spouses experience physical, emotional, social, and financial effects.

Physical Effects

Divorce can severely impact your physical health in many different ways.

Heart Disease

According to one study, divorced individuals are at a 20% higher risk of developing a chronic condition like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. This could be linked to higher stress levels that people experience after a divorce.

Poor Immune Function

The American Association of Stress found that divorce is linked to immune system dysfunction in men and women. Not only that, but divorced individuals are also proven to have poorer sleep quality and an increased risk of drug abuse.

Emotional Effects

Being separated from your partner after a long relationship can affect your mental health. The emotional effects of divorce include stress, anxiety, depression, identity crisis, obsessive behavior, and much more.

However, how both genders cope and respond to these effects is slightly different. For example, women are more prone to undergo an identity crisis after a divorce. Meanwhile, men have a harder time processing and handling their emotions than females.

This could be because of societal norms that make it difficult for men to reach out regarding this issue. On the other hand, women generally have an extensive friend group that helps them get through the divorce. It also doesn’t help that over 80% of divorces in the U.S. are initiated by women, according to the national center for health statistics, which makes it even more difficult for men to comprehend such catastrophic news all of a sudden.

Social Effects

When you’re married to someone, your friends and family see you as a pair. Naturally, when you separate, seeing your friends solo can feel uncomfortable and, in some situations, even unwelcoming. Some of the ways that divorce affects your social life include:

· If you and your ex-spouse formed friendships with other couples over the years, you might feel uncomfortable meeting these friends when it’s just you. You may also wonder if they actually enjoy your company or if they were only friends with your ex-spouse.

· When you’re married, you may plan many activities with your spouse. After a separation, you may be unable to plan as many activities or lack the financial resources to do so. Similarly, social activities can be less of a priority if you start working two jobs to make ends meet.

· Divorce is a time-consuming process that drains your energy and financial resources. If there were numerous disputes, the post-divorce stress might cause you to withdraw from social activities.

Overall, many people feel isolated and alone after a divorce. In such a situation, leaving the complex legal matters to an expert divorce attorney or family lawyer can give you the space to build a routine and feel a sense of normalcy.

Effects on Children

Divorce can have a major negative impact on children:

· They might experience negative feelings, and being unable to process such emotions can cause them to act out.

· They may develop separation anxiety

· They may isolate themselves from friends and family

· They may perform poorly at school

A divorce is a life-changing event for children that can alter their prospects and ability to build relationships. It’s why parents must try to work out a plan in which their child’s routine faces the least disruption.

Financial Effects

The dependent spouse experiences the brunt of negative financial effects after a divorce. In most cases, this leads to women being at higher risk of facing poverty due to a divorce. Of course, a divorce can have major effects on women, men, and children involved.

· Women might need to fall back on public assistance programs if their ex-husband was the only earner in the family.

· Children may get to spend less time with their parents when a parent that stayed home or only worked part-time starts working full-time.

· Strained finances can mean that they longer participate in extracurriculars like sports, summer camps, or music lessons.

· In the case of men, their earnings are garnished by the state since funds for child support are taken directly from their paychecks.

Of course, this is just the direct effect of the financial strain people experience after a divorce. There can be numerous interconnected factors, like loss of insurance coverage and homelessness, that one should consider as well.

FAQs

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about divorce.

How to Navigate Through Divorce

Filing for divorce is an important, tedious, and life-altering process. Therefore it is necessary to be educated on how to navigate through a divorce with ease. Acting upon the following advice may guide you through this process and make it a bit easier for you to go through a divorce:

· Maintain effective communication with your ex-partner if possible. This helps create a better understanding while deciding on different issues.

· Make sure to select the best legal representation team for yourself, like a lawyer who understands your situation and goals.

· Maintain a support system comprising your closest family and friends.

· As discussed earlier, divorce can have a serious impact on your financial life, so make sure to consult a financial advisor first.

· If the emotional baggage feels too much to bear, consider seeing a therapist.

What’s the Difference Between a Divorce Lawyer and Family Lawyer?

A divorce lawyer specifically caters to handling matters related to divorce only, which means only regards separation between a husband and a wife. In contrast, a family lawyer overlooks matters related to the family, including divorce. You have to decide whether to consult a divorce lawyer or a family lawyer, depending on your circumstances.

How Much Does Divorce Cost?

The final cost of your divorce depends on whether it’s a contested or uncontested divorce. According to research, the price of going through divorce proceedings can cost between a few and several thousand dollars.

How Long Does the Divorce Process Take?

It can take anywhere between a few months to a whole year. How long a divorce takes depends on the complexity of your case, as well as your specific circumstances and goals.

How Much Does a Divorce or Family Attorney Cost?

The cost of a divorce attorney depends on factors like what state you live in, the circumstances surrounding your divorce, if you have any children, and if there are other legal disputes. Divorce lawyers charge on a per-hour basis, and other services like taking phone calls and corresponding with the other party’s lawyer are billable. However, in general, divorce attorneys, on average, charge more than family attorneys due to the complex nature of divorce cases.

This content is part of the HWM Partnership.

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