How does the life of each party change after a divorce?

The dissolution of a marriage is never something society likes to consider a ‘good’ thing, even when it’s necessary. And the fact that divorce represents a major life change means that the two parties involved likely won’t escape without repercussions, be they emotional, practical, or both. We queried our readers familiar with divorce about what to expect after a marriage ends. Here’s what they had to say:
Georgia McKenzie

Georgia McKenzie

Founder and CEO of Switch on Business.

Living Arrangements, Especially If You Have a Child Together

The life of each party changes dramatically after a divorce. The most obvious and immediate change is usually in the form of living arrangements, especially if children are involved. After the dissolution of the marriage, one parent may be required to move out of the family home and would need to find alternative accommodations. In addition to finding a new home, both parties may be required to undergo a financial reorganization as all assets and debts are divided according to state law. This might involve selling property, liquidating accounts, or refinancing mortgages.

Both parties must also adjust their social relationships after the divorce. Friendships with mutual friends may become strained; couples who divorced may find themselves excluded from group activities they once shared with their former spouse. It may be difficult for one or both parties to start dating again as they adjust to the new reality of single life. There may also be an emotional toll in the aftermath of a divorce, including feelings such as guilt, sadness, and regret.

Mental Health, Direction in Life, and Financial Stability

Each party’s life changes drastically and subtly after divorce; in more ways than one. People post-divorce have two choices: they can either take responsibility for their actions, grow and change with the help of therapy, books, and other resources post-divorce, or they can be resentful, bitter, and burdened by the way the divorce played out and let the pain guide their new path in life.

People will gain a sense of freedom and independence post-divorce. That change will either have them become a better person who sees that growth in themselves is the best way forward, or they will start to see that this newfound independence is scary, and that fear will have them trying to start dating to find someone else quickly in their life.

Being divorced changes people in many ways, one of them being that they will start to try new activities and get out of the house. They may also start to be involved in their children’s lives more or less, depending on numerous factors. Financially, they may begin to spend more or less post-divorce. Many people tend to rein in the spending and become more conservative once they are on their own, but plenty do the opposite and buy big-ticket items such as a house, boat, or car post-divorce.

Olivia Brooke Summerhill, CFP, CDFA, CMC

Olivia Brooke Summerhill, CFP, CDFA, CMC

Divorce Financial Consultant at The Summerhill Firm, LLC.
David Mcneil

David Mcneil

Founder & CEO of AuthorityJewelry.com.

Financial and Emotional Upheaval

Divorce can have a significant impact on the lives of both parties involved. Emotionally, divorce can be a difficult and stressful experience, often leading to feelings of sadness, anger, and loss. Financially, divorce can also have a significant impact, particularly if one party was the primary breadwinner or if there are significant assets to divide. In some cases, divorce can also impact relationships with children, extended family members, and mutual friends.

However, it’s important to note that the impact of divorce can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Some individuals may find that divorce ultimately leads to a happier and more fulfilling life, while others may struggle with the aftermath for years to come.

Increase Independence, Personal Growth

Due to the divorce, both parties may need to make significant emotional and practical adjustments. Along with increasing independence and personal growth, there may also be financial challenges and psychological distress. It is essential to approach the circumstance with resilience, solicit the aid of trustworthy advice, and prioritize self-care if you want to successfully manage the changes.

David Louvet

David Louvet

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.