Life can be good after divorce says experts; consider these 5 keys to make it easier

It takes time for couples to reach the decision to divorce. This ultimate decision is an admission that things have gone terribly wrong for a couple that had agreed to stay together forever.

It is for this and other reasons that divorce is seen as a bad thing.

At a recent divorce workshop hosted by Citadel, a panel of experts reached the consensus that life can be good after divorce, especially if it’s managed well from the legal, financial and relationship perspectives.

Here are the panel’s top five tips for bouncing back from divorce and achieving a fulfilled new life for all those who are impacted by the change in family dynamics.

Equip yourself

“Before you get divorced, it’s essential to know which legal framework you were married under,” advises family law specialist Amanda Catto.

“Whether it be in community of property, or out of community of property (with or without accrual) in terms of an ante nuptial contract. If you have an ante nuptial contract you need to know what the agreement says. You might be married in terms of a foreign law (if you got married abroad). If you don’t have a copy of your marriage agreement, you can get it from the Deeds Office or from the notary who notarised your contract.”

Legal representation is not strictly necessary, but expert assistance is helpful as divorce can be complex, says Catto.

“You don’t have to use an attorney for a divorce. The lower (magistrates’) courts particularly are geared to assist people through the process and there are sites in South Africa that offer ‘DIY divorces’.”

“If you choose to proceed on an unrepresented basis, there are some pitfalls, so it may be best to have at least one consultation with an attorney just to understand your rights. Even if your partner is not disputing the divorce, it’s good to have an attorney at least check your court documents and any settlement agreement. If the divorce is acrimonious, get help from family law specialists, as it is a very complex field. It’s the biggest red flag to me that someone plans to be unfair if they tell their spouse not to seek legal assistance or they’ll rescind their offer,” she explains.

All divorces must be granted by a court order, via a summons, while domestic partnerships can be terminated by agreement. In a contested divorce, a summons will be followed by documents from both parties referred to as pleadings, which could focus on financial, parental and practical arrangements.

There is no cost difference between seeking a divorce from a lower or a high court, but you’re better off in a high court from a cost perspective if the divorce is acrimonious. If you do use the services of legal professionals, you are entitled to know their fees upfront and to receive written mandates from them. The aim should always be to reach a settlement as soon as possible. Once settled, that’s the end of it.

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Handle your family’s affairs

“From a legal perspective, divorce is mainly a financial transaction,” said Citadel Advisory Partner Kirsten Smit.

 “As a starting point, you need a solid understanding of your (combined) balance sheet – assets and liabilities, what you own, what you owe, and what you earn now and in the future. Consider what you are likely entitled to keep and what property may be subject to division. Trust assets must also be considered, especially when both partners are trustees and children are beneficiaries.”

“Understanding your family’s financial situation is a huge benefit when you are initiating a divorce,” says Catto.

She points out that many people, and especially women, tend to know very little about their spouse or family’s financial affairs, because this information was never shared. It is always advisable to keep a family file that is accessible to both spouses, containing information on assets, policies, pensions, retirement and living annuities, investments, trusts and trustees, wills and testaments, and other information that will assist the surviving spouse in the event of the death of a spouse and provide for transparency during the marriage.

If either party feels that they don’t have a handle on the family finances and that unfairness may arise, or if communication has broken down, it is advisable to seek the help of mediators and therapists with experience dealing with divorces, Leah Sefor, a relationship and communications expert, explains.

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Be realistic

Smit states that it is very normal to see your expenses go up during divorce.

“Having children to care for will dig deep into your pocket. It’s important to learn to budget properly. Knowledge is power, so track your inflows and outflows. Having to start running two households is an expensive ordeal.” She adds that while it may be tempting to get a whole new wardrobe or to go on an island holiday with friends, it might not be the wisest decision in your new financial reality.

Sefor advises not to expect to remain the same person, or to expect your partner to remain the same person.

“People often change their appearance, how they speak, and many other things about their identity after divorce. So, expect and accept it, and learn to continue communicating respectfully.”

Sefor believes it is vital to prioritise self-care and avoid burnout by eating, sleeping and exercising enough to maintain a positive, forward-looking attitude during the divorce process.

“As you start rebuilding yourself and your life, it’s good to do some introspection about why you want the divorce to happen, what is going to happen to your life, who is going to be impacted and where you see everyone ending up through this process. I’m a big fan of taking ownership of your own emotional journey, couples become each other’s punching bags when they don’t take stock of the part they played to get to this point in the relationship.”

“Also, accept the fact that it is going to be a rollercoaster. People want it to be easy and pain-free, but that is very much dependent on your conduct, attitude and behaviours. Get a therapist or coach as soon as you possibly can so that someone can help you work through the upheaval. If you don’t, you won’t be able to hold space for your children.”

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Minimise family trauma

“Something that many people want to know is when and what to tell the children. I feel this can only happen if both parties are clear about the logistics of the divorce and once you’ve met with the mediator and agreed on the terms of the divorce,” Sefor advises.

“Remember, children will ask a lot of questions. The golden rule is that both parents need to be present for the conversation if circumstances allow. Choose a time when the children will have time to process the shock – not on the way to school or a sports game or right before bed. There needs to be time to discuss and process it together.”

Sefor strongly advises sharing only the basic facts of the situation with children, to avoid overwhelming them, and to adjust the information according to their ages.

“When you talk to your pre-schooler, share less and more specific information about how it will affect them – where they will live, who will take them to school, what will happen to the pets. Older children will have many questions but don’t overshare personal information with your children.”

“Get a therapist for them – your children are worried about you and won’t bring their stuff to you and will need an objective counsellor about what they are going through. They might lash out and will need to be held. Keep a very close eye on changes in behaviour that may indicate that they need help, such as appetite changes, sleep disturbances and emotional outbursts. With older children, give them the number of the therapist and let them set up the appointments themselves.”

Catto advises all divorcing parents to get a parenting plan that both parties can agree on and to stick to the plan as closely as possible unless circumstances change drastically. A parenting plan typically covers guardianship, maintenance and contact arrangements.

“Don’t be petty and punitive. Both parties need to be transparent and cooperative. Always strive for fair and pragmatic solutions in the long-term interests of the family.”

Be proactive

“Remember, divorce is not the end of the relationship – you will still have social and family events together, you will still co-parent, and there are many external areas that you can keep going in an absolutely workable way, like running a business together.”

“You need a win-win that creates a sustainable experience for everyone involved. Remember, if children are involved, you are modelling behaviour for them all the time… about emotional intelligence in relationships and conflict resolution. Always be impeccable in your communication, especially when you talk to or about your ex-partner.”

Finally, Smit advises that divorcing parents should always update their wills, medical aid, policies and investment strategies, so that they can start their new lives with a strong financial plan in place and a sense of emotional and physical security.

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