In these troubled economic times, I have heard from a number of women who would like to ‘get out from under’ their unhappy marriages, but feel financial pressures keep them locked in. The best divorce advice I can give here is that staying in an unhappy marriage is not a good solution; there are other ways to resolve the situation.
In the best of economic conditions, women may be concerned about how a divorce will affect their ability to take care of themselves. But when the economy is down and home values have fallen and debt loads are high, many may feel they simply cannot make it on their own without their spouse’s income – despite how unhappy they may be in their marriage.
As spouses considering separation take a hard look at their financial situation, they may be tempted to stay in a loveless marriage rather than face an uncertain economic future on their own. This is particularly true for women who have left their jobs to take care of their home and children and have not worked outside of the home for years, if ever. They may worry about their chance of finding sustainable employment and making a living wage in the current economy.
It does not have to be this way, however.
Financial co-dependence is not a good reason to stay in a marriage that no longer works. It is much better to seek other options that can help ease the financial burden while helping you move on with your life in a positive direction.
Whether you are concerned about paying your bills, getting out from underneath bad debt or keeping your home out of foreclosure, there are options. While it can surely be scary to file for divorce and only have yourself to rely on to take care of you, remember that it is also an opportunity for a new beginning. In these situations, it would be good to discuss your options with an attorney who is experienced in family and bankruptcy law. You can also enlist the advice of a career coach to help you with a search for a job – either full or part-time.
 This is a guest post by Judy Smith. Judy specializes in helping women create a new life after divorce. She uses experience and skills acquired over a lifetime to help divorced people transform their lives. Get the personalized help you need by joining her Divorce Coaching Club.
“It’s never too late to live happily ever after.” |
