Divorce: A Woman’s Pain
Because you are separated and going through a painful divorce, it is important to know that who you are today is not who you will be tomorrow, next month, or certainly a year from now. The fears you have will be resolved, in one way or another. The days, with their individual tasks, will come, and they will pass. And when this happens, you’ll feel growth and accomplishment.
That’s largely how separation is, but convincing yourself of this when you desire answers right now is another matter. Of course, every woman’s situation is unique. For the woman facing domestic violence, safety decisions are paramount and need to be addressed immediately. Those women left with little or no financial resources need to file for support as soon as possible in order to set a hearing date to settle the matter.
Your circumstances will dictate what deserves immediate attention, and what can wait. As a general rule, your agenda should involve drawing up a safety plan by changing locks or protecting yourself and your property; filing for child and spousal support (which you can do before you even engage an attorney); obtaining medical care if your health has been jeopardized; and caring for the emotional and tangible needs of your children.
If you’re having trouble coping or even thinking about what comes first, ask a trusted friend or counselor to help you devise daily goals and a to-do list. An objective party who is not emotionally caught up in the crisis can see things more clearly, more quickly. Just remember not to overwhelm yourself with too many extraneous details that could be handled in the weeks and months to come. This will also prevent you from making faulty hasty decisions.
Often, quick decisions aren’t appropriate decisions. Some distance between the parties might clarify some matters, making reconciliation possible. A hasty judgment to divorce today might make it all but impossible to get back together tomorrow. In addition, if you earn less than your spouse, there might be financial reasons for you to take your time, particularly if there are children involved.
If you haven’t separated yet, a word of caution: States vary in their laws regarding separation and divorce. Should your spouse want to move you both to another state, examine the laws closely as they apply to property division, alimony, and child support. It could be that he’s seeking a sweeter deal in another land.
