Divorce can be overwhelming. It is not something (hopefully) with which most people have a lot of experience, and it doesn’t exactly come with a learning curve. It is more like being tossed into the deep end of the pool and left to fend for oneself. Some divorcees have found that a divorce coach can keep them from drowning.
What Does A Divorce Coach Do?
A divorce can bring out hordes of well-meaning friends and family who are eager to offer advice, whether it is helpful or not. This “help” can easily make the process more confusing. A divorce coach brings experience and expertise to the table. He or she can perform a multitude of needed functions during a divorce, depending on their training. While some specialize in co-parenting and custody issues, others help couples communicate better during and after the divorce. Some coaches are there for the post-divorce healing process.
Do Couples Really Need A Divorce Coach?
Going through a divorce can easily be a couple’s lowest point, financially, emotionally, and simply as individuals. The process requires so many decisions, most people have difficulty coping with everything. While a coach is an additional expense, he or she can actually use experience and expertise to save the couple money. That is because decisions based on emotions can be expensive, and it is the divorce coach’s job to separate out-of-control emotions from reality. Here are some reasons one or both divorcing parties should consider a divorce coach:
- You are overcome with anxiety about your future.
- You don’t have a plan for the post-divorce future.
- Your anger is all-consuming and is preventing you from making the best decisions.
- The entire divorce process is confusing, and you need advice.
- You and your soon-to-be-ex cannot agree on childcare or custody.
- Neither you nor your ex can arrive at a viable co-parenting plan.
Benefits of Consulting With a Divorce Coach
Most couples approach a divorce with the goal of dissolving the union while giving scant thought to the financial and emotional consequences for themselves and their children.
A divorce coach is both an expert in divorce and an ally. An ally is someone who offers support and advice at a time we need it the most. They are like a divorce GPS, guiding us in the right direction and keeping us from losing time and money.
Both divorce attorneys and financial managers have a special role in the divorce process. The same holds true for a divorce coach. His or her expertise involves the details of a divorce, post-divorce trauma, and the need for self-care.
A Divorce Coach Can Keep Divorce Out Of Court
Divorce coaches are technically recognized as mediators. When it comes to a divorce, mediators attempt to negotiate with both parties to reach an out-of-court agreement. This is less painful and expensive than going to trial. It encourages a cooperative approach instead of increasing hostilities between the parties. This can save a couple a considerable amount in expensive legal fees.
Divorce and Finances
A divorce will change a lot of circumstances in your life. Your finances, in particular, are at stake, and you will benefit from the expertise of another expert. Whatever your short-term and long-term financial goals were, divorce has likely affected them. There are now two households to support instead of one. Alimony and children support will likely figure into the equation.
During the divorce process, you need the best financial strategy to achieve an equitable divorce settlement and arrange for your future. A financial expert will provide the advice and direction to help you recognize your best options and prevent you from make emotionally-based and disastrous financial decisions.
What Type of Financial Advisor is Best?
The financial advice you need depends on your circumstances. But you will want someone who is familiar with or actually specializes in divorce finances and long-term tax issues as they relate to divorce. A good financial advisor can work with your divorce attorney to achieve the best divorce settlement for both parties. Should you suspect your about-to-be-ex is keeping certain assets hidden, you may benefit from working with a Certified Fraud Examiner. This can involve collecting financial information going back a number of years and obtaining the following records:
- Stock and mutual funds
- Real estate and mortgage information
- Income tax information and returns
- Details on all loans
- Bank and credit card statements
- All retirement accounts
- Marital and non-marital property (a financial expert will explain the difference)
- Business ventures
- Any pending legal matters
- A detailed monthly expense account to be used for alimony and child support purposes
- All insurance information – health, life, and property
It is important and necessary to gather all the above information for your financial advisor. The greater his or her knowledge of your financial situation, the better the financial advisor will be able to help you plan your next step.
Conclusion:
There are times in life when an ally can help us through the wort of time. A divorce coach can act as such as ally and help keep you on track as you stumble through the disintegration of your marriage. Ultimately, he or she can save your sanity and your money.
The legal process can get difficult, which is why we always recommend that you seek the assistance of counsel; or at least have a consultation. Schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today to review the issues of your case, the legal options you may have, and certain rights that pertain to your unique situation.
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