How to Hurdle Devastating Divorce Deterrents

Divorce doesn't just creep up on a couple. Small issues begin as pebbles that easily turn into boulders in a committed relationship. Before you know it, those huge rocks block all of the good you originally saw in your partner. For most people, the concept of divorce is a difficult – but often rewarding – option for an otherwise impossible situation. But some couples adamantly refuse to consider getting a divorce, opting instead to live in misery. And here's why:

5 Tips For Surviving the Holidays With Your New Step-Family

Post-divorce holidays can be tough – and they can seem impossible when a new spouse and stepchildren are involved. In some cases, a degree of harmony is achieved prior to the most stressful time of year. But all too often, exes and unknown expectations make it a real challenge to keep the peace. The holidays can quickly morph into a National Lampoon-style free-for-all that unleashes all of your negative traits and mortifies your children (and step-kids) in the process. But blending your new family for the holidays can be relatively pain-free. Just follow these simple suggestions.

Social Contagion Is a Leading Cause of Divorce

Many people know at least one couple that simply doesn't get along. As much as you love them and want to spend time with them, every nerve in your body feels exposed as you prepare for an extended visit. This is because emotions are contagious – and a new study suggests that these social contagions may even contribute to your own divorce. Is it time to find new friends?

Why Women Should Keep Their Emotions In Check During Divorce

Load Netflix, stream movies, or rent a few DVDs for the weekend, and you’ll see countless examples of American relationship stereotypes. In almost every case that deals with divorce, the woman tends to ride an emotional roller coaster while the man simply packs up and moves on. Granted, these are common tropes, but such things don’t generally just appear out of thin air. Are women in today’s society really more likely to suffer during and after divorce? And if so, why?

5 Ways to Stay Sane During Post Divorce Holidays

Your Michigan divorce was likely a long time coming, but it’s never a simple process to end a long-term committed relationship. Guilt over family matters and outside joint relationships can lead to serious depression and withdrawal around the holidays. But the good news is that with a creative and rational thinking, you can easily survive – during and after the holidays. Try the following suggestions to see for yourself.

Holiday Coping Skills to Help Children of Divorce

Divorce is hard on the entire family. Children, especially young children, have a particularly hard time coping with divorce – especially during the holidays.

Divorce makes every family situation more difficult and taints the things that are supposed to be beautiful. However, once parents are divorced, they still want to make the most of the holidays and celebrate what life has to offer – every child deserves that. It can be challenging to get your child into that fun, celebrative mood. Here's how you can help your kids cope, whether you are planning to have your kids celebrate with one parent or both.

Who Copes with Divorce Better? Men or Women?

When a couple divorces, both partners go through the same process but not the same coping mechanisms. Men and women are wired differently, and this affects how they deal with stressful and emotional situations such as divorce. Just how different are men and women when it comes to dealing the end of a marriage? Read on:

Can You Divorce While Still Living Together?

Recession has forced many divorcing parents in Macomb County Michigan to continue living under the same roof, since maintaining two households is beyond their financial reach. Additionally, the uncertainty to the children, who worry about where each parent will live, makes some divorcing partners opt to stick together during the divorce process. Living with a partner during the Michigan divorce process is not easy; the home always feels like a pot of boiling soup ready to spill over.

If you are in such a situation, here are some tips that will be helpful to survive that tense period in your relationship.

How Couples Therapy Can Help Your Through Divorce

Deciding whether or not to divorce can take years. You may have been afraid to leave. Perhaps your finances made it seem like divorce wasn't an option. Or maybe you decided to until the kids were out of high school. By the time you’ve had enough, things can be so bad in the relationship that the idea of counseling of any kind becomes laughable at best. But your Michigan divorce attorney knows that therapy isn’t just about saving a marriage. When, how and why can couples therapy be beneficial in divorce as well?

5 Common Ways You’re Bringing Kids into the Divorce

You’re a good parent and love your children more than anything in the world. And chances are at one point they brought you and your significant other closer together than any other couple on the face of the planet. Funny how time changes things, isn't it? Sure, you’re still a caring parent, but divorce plays with emotions and sensibilities – and it can lead you to make one or more of the most common divorce parenting mistakes you’re making with your kids.

Is Your Smartphone Too Smart for Your Divorce?

Technology is a wonderful thing when used correctly. In fact, chances are most of your life fits in the palm of your hand. Many people cart around schedules, memos, reminders, entire contact lists, and essential parts of their home and business lives on smart phones, tablets, laptops, and even wifi-ready handheld gaming consoles. Tapping away to total strangers (or secret crushes) can easily be done without secondary knowledge. After all, it’s just text or social media. Perhaps you frequent certain sites or email a specific co-worker when you’re fighting with your significant other, but that’s on your downtime. What’s wrong with a little flirting anyway?

The Adulterous Epidemic: Are Parents to Blame for Divorce?

Kids have a lot of influences. Teachers, friends, siblings, grandparents, doctors, and religious leaders can make huge impacts on their lives. But your Michigan divorce attorney can tell you that no one makes a bigger impact on kids than their parents. So when household-based adults have serious compulsions or make major mistakes, it only makes sense that children learn by example. But just how does that translate to divorce?

Can You Afford a DIY Divorce?

Do-It-Yourself projects are adored by many for being cost-effective solutions for tricky life situations. However, there are major differences between repairing a storm window and taking legal and financial matters into your own hands. Surprisingly, 80 percent of Americans consider DIY divorce options. After all, it doesn't get much easier than downloading your own divorce packet online. Unfortunately, the potential fallout of a DIY divorce is enormous. Read on to find out why you should avoid a DIY divorce at all costs, no matter how tempting it may be.

Double Home Survival Strategies After Divorce

Divorce is never easy, but it is especially tough on kids. School-aged kids are already under tremendous peer pressure, and the weight of a divorce just adds to the confusion. Parents have a duty to help ease them into the new living arrangements created by the split. The following five simple tips can get you started.

The Main Reasons Heavenly Divorces Turn Hellish

No one in their right mind gets married just to divorce, but the divorce rate remains high nonetheless. Based on 2012 statistics, Macomb County Michigan alone was home to 4,716 marriages and 2,684 divorces. Across the nation, the divorce rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than the 7.6 per 1,000 in the year 2000. A drop in the divorce rate is encouraging, but the reasons for divorce are no less unsettling. In fact, even the most agreeable divorce cases can suddenly turn hostile from the smallest spark. These are the hot topics that drive amicable divorces over to the dark side:

Get an Ethical Divorce at a Price You Can Afford

Over one million people divorce in America every year. Divorce is the ultimate anti-climax to the happiest, and often most expensive, day of a couple’s life together. While "till death do you part" is a traditional dream, it can easily turn into a walking nightmare. Marriage holds value, but so does divorce. Unfortunately, finances are often such a concern by the time the couple decides enough is enough that there’s little breathing room for extra expenses. One question that is often proposed at the beginning of a divorce is, “Can we share an attorney?” The quick answer is no. There are very specific reasons why your Michigan divorce attorney won't offer joint divorce services but will offer options to work around the conundrum.

Don’t Let Divorce Destroy Your Credit

There’s nothing like a fresh beginning. Flattering wolf whistles after losing a good amount of weight or updating your look with a new haircut, that first professional interview after graduating college and, yes, even a new outlook on life after divorce can all be exciting experiences worth savoring. But just how often do you hear that a divorce went as smoothly as the couple intended? Oftentimes, when one partner insists the divorce was a piece of cake, the other partner is ready to tell another story altogether. In many cases, the horror stories come down to marital-related credit issues. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks to ensure you and your once beloved make a clean credit split during your divorce.

The Contemptible Costs of Cheating

Divorce can be an expensive undertaking regardless of the cause. But extramarital affairs, in particular, can be truly costly. The media is full of horror stories surrounding the emotional outcome of adultery-based relationship destruction… but the financial fallout may blow your mind.

How Highly Educated Wives Are Reducing Divorce Risks

There was a time when men worked outside the home and earned the money, and women stayed home to take care of the house and kids. Times have certainly changed, and women are out there earning their fair share (and more). In the past, a man who earned less than his wife may have felt like a failure, and his injured ego was relieved only by divorce. Fortunately, such a pattern is less common in this day and age.

A new study in the August issue of The American Sociological Review flips this stereotype on its head. It examined heterosexual marriages between 1950 and 2009 and discovered that unions in which the wife makes significantly more money than the husband is no longer a prerequisite or even a risk for divorce. And here's why:

Avoid Excuses, Overcome Fear, and Push Through With Your Divorce

Divorce is difficult and complicated, and it's common for spouses to be unable to decide whether to stay or go. Even couples in the worst of marriages may hold off on ending the relationship. Why? The answers are so obvious they may surprise you.

How Your Cell Phone Can Hurt You After Your Divorce

Trust issues are a major cause of divorce, and technology often doesn’t help matters on either side. Your desktop, laptop, tablet, and even cell phone can betray you by disclosing your most intimate secrets with just the touch of a button. While respect, communication, and trust are the keys to a strong relationship, divorce is an inevitable ending for many couples. If your relationship is teetering, your Michigan divorce lawyer will advise you to first and foremost destroy those technological tracks that can end up railroading you in the long run.

The Real Statistics of Cheating and Divorce

Of all the reasons for a Michigan divorce, cheating is often placed on the hot seat. Accusations are slung, fingers are pointed, and declarations are admitted or denials continue. In today’s culture, it seems like infidelity is almost a mainstream concept, as though it’s to be expected. And divorce is considered to be a simple cure for the common ailment. But just how common is infidelity within modern marriages? The facts may surprise you.

6 Baffling Divorce Debates

Most marriages begin strong and with optimistic leanings toward the future. But your Michigan divorce lawyer can tell you that the majority suffer long before the once happy couple finally agrees to call it quits. While there are many worthy reasons to seek a Michigan divorce, sometimes the reasons stated for ending a marriage simply baffle the mind. Below are six real, but completely crazy, reasons people have attempted to divorce their spouses.

How to Keep Your Reputation Afloat When Your Marriage Sinks

Social media can be a fun and exciting way to keep up with real life friends and family and can even help you improve your professional life. Unfortunately, too many people abuse the technology and wind up sharing every action of the day with hundreds of “friends” they’ll never meet. It’s bad enough when your partner floods social media with his typical rants, but when those are geared to include you, problems can most definitely arise.

Facebook issues are at least mentioned in 30 percent of Michigan divorce cases. This is a significant problem that couples need to address before becoming serious enough to share information about each other, let alone walk down the aisle. Enter the social media pre-nup, the newest trend in relationship security. But what is an SMP and why is it needed?

No-Fault Divorce Means No-Fault, Even in the Wake of Infidelity

No one who truly wants a loving and successful marriage enters such a commitment with the intent of getting divorced. However, life stress and poor choices can lead to what was originally an unthinkable outcome. While there are many legitimate reasons for divorce, infidelity remains one of the most common claims. But if you think you’re emotionally and financially protected just because you live in a no-fault state, think again.

Living Together Before Marriage: Not So Bad After All

Some people still consider pre-marital cohabitation to be a simple trend. Perhaps in the 1960s, the half a million American couples who “lived in sin” may have agreed. But today’s figures of over 5 million annual couples choosing to live together before committing to marriage is more than a trend, it’s a social movement.

The Road to Divorce: The Not-So Secrete Sins of Social Media

Social media has taken over on a global scale as a simple way to connect or reconnect with friends, family and associates. However, over the past several years, social media addictions have surfaced, leading to relationship concerns and even divorce scares. Before logging on to your favorite site or liking that next link, make sure you read the following information to make sure you’re not making potentially irreversible relationship mistakes.

Getting Divorced Because of Religious Differences

The term “interfaith” refers to the introduction of more than one religious faith into a marital union. While many faiths still condemn the joining of different religions in marriage, American trends show that marrying outside one’s religion is a current common action. However, there are some interesting statistics on the relevance and success of those marriages.

Avoiding the Financial Pitfalls of Divorce

Quite often, people make one of two major mistakes when it comes to divorce. They either put off the divorce much longer than necessary due to financial worries, or they jump the gun and forego any type of significant financial planning. If you’ve made the firm decision the marriage is over and talked your options through with your Michigan divorce attorney, you may already know of some of his or her suggestions. But if you haven’t discussed matters with your law office, at least begin planning with the following tips and strategies.

Trading in Tradition: Blaming Kids for Divorce

Lifelong marriages are all too often a luxury of the past. Life stresses can cause even the most stable and supportive partnership to deteriorate with little warning. But when it comes down to specifics, your Michigan divorce attorney can tell you, two main reasons continually top the list for divorce: money woes and stress over raising children.

Remarriage Realities: Will You Wed Again After Divorce?

So you've divorced with the aid of your Michigan divorce attorney, and your lifestyle is healthier. You've dated and even said those magic words to a new romantic partner. My goodness, did you just hear that? Were those…wedding bells? Dating post divorce is one thing, but a large majority of divorcees choose to remarry, or consider remarriage, within 3 years after their primary divorce.

What may seem like an unlikely turn of events after the original marital bliss turns bitter suddenly becomes a predictable situation for many people who rediscover the emotional benefits of partnership. But there are some serious facts you must consider before taking your next stroll down the aisle.

Side-Stepping Potential Concerns of Your New Blended Family

Stepchildren can add a lot of unexpected joy to a second marriage; but the addition of household members also increases divorce rates by 5-10% across the board. While almost 50% of adults have some form of step-relationship within their family, most new stepparents still feel buried at one point or another with worries regarding parental responsibilities.

Can Your Michigan Divorce Be One of Conscious Uncoupling?

Statistics show that almost 50% of marriages end in divorce. While that’s a cold, hard truth in today’s American culture, it’s often extremely difficult for all involved in the lives of the previously happy couple. After all, partners don’t originally hope to fight over who one day gets the ugly gravy boat from Aunt Brenda. In fact, for many relationships, their wedding day holds the top 2 position among the list of best days ever, only to take a back seat to the birth of their children; which, of course, all share the number one spot equally. So, when the former deteriorates, what’s left of the family unit? Seeking Michigan divorce help can soothe your concerns before they escalate into full-blown panic.

Dos and Don’ts for Discussing Your Divorce with Your Kids

Deciding to end a marriage can be a stressful time full of inconsistent emotions, doubt, and guilt. On one hand, weight may be lifted if this was a gradual parting and mutual decision. But that’s not always the case. Many times, the pressure and fears of starting a new life apart from your long-term partner are only compounded by the realization that you have to first confront the most precious people in your life; your children. While there is no easy, cookie cutter way to do it, seeking Michigan divorce help prior to the disclosure can cement some loose details and help you find the strength to inform the rest of your family. The following guidelines may help ease your burden when opening up to your kids.

Divorced in Michigan: Are You Ready to Date Online?

If you’re considering the options of dating after divorce, you may feel as though you’re about to enter an endless sea of confusion and disappointment. While the single world has probably changed significantly since the last time you were available, one of the easiest ways to test the water again is to wade into online dating. You may not be ready to consider it just yet, but it’s neither too early nor too late to ask your Michigan divorce team questions regarding post divorce socializing.

Divorcing in Michigan? 5 Ways Your Divorce is Healthy

Accepting that your marriage is over can create waves of negativity and stress. While your Michigan divorce may have taken care of one set of issues, many people feel completely overwhelmed by a new set of life responsibilities that they shared with another before the papers were signed.

But the end of your relationship with your partner doesn’t have to be a negative strain on your life. Ongoing Michigan divorce help can assist you in finding the golden rays on your greyest days. Accepting the changes as a positive turn of events only requires the right mindset and a few gentle reminders that there are good aspects to divorce.

Getting a Michigan Divorce? Behave Yourself in Divorce Court

While your Michigan divorce attorney should prep you for divorce court in Mt. Clemens MI, there are some things you should take into consideration that they may not mention. No matter how you feel about the divorce, the judge will make his or her own opinion about you and the divorce based on what they see and hear. This means that in divorce court, you have to be on your best behavior, no matter what the circumstances are.

Why Failed IVF Treatments Can Lead to a Failed Marriage

When it comes to marriage and planning a life together, there can be very high expectations in regards to finances, home life, and children. However, the life we expect and plan for is not always the life we get. For instance, the expectation of having children can be shattered when fertility problems arise, and that can cause a lot of pressure on a person and a marriage. But are fertility issues a cause for divorce?

Avoid the Ugliness: Divorce with Dignity

Divorce doesn't have to be full of anger, accusations, hate, or other negative emotions. Whether or not your divorce ends in a bad or positive way depends on your actions and the actions of your ex. Ending your marriage with integrity will allow you to seek help from your Michigan divorce attorney in a mature manner and get past the divorce quicker and move towards a happier and healthier life.

Feeling Unhealthy? It Could Be Your Divorce

Are you going through a divorce in Mt. Clemens, MI? It is important to note that a divorce can be very stressful and many people find that their health changes after a divorce. Whether it changes in a positive or negative way is determined by how the person views and handles the divorce, as well as how they move forward with their life.

Divorcing in Michigan: The Pros of Divorce Mediation

In case you and your partner have decided to separate and conclude that you can’t live together anymore, you will have to make certain crucial decisions regarding your divorce. Divorce can be a very expensive, nasty, time consuming and exhausting process. However, with some alternative options, you don’t have to make it tough. It can be amicable, satisfying and quick.

The Many Ways Divorce Affects Your Children

Family law disputes are usually tough and emotional for everyone involved. Separation and divorce present a difficult emotional experience for families, with varying implications for parents and children. Considering the numerous legal issues that a family can face, it is important to seek erudite and compassionate legal counsel from a Michigan divorce attorney to assist you through the unique challenges. This is a critical stage because most of the decisions you make during the initial stages will affect the outcome of your divorce and the wellbeing of your children. 

I'm Getting a Divorce - Who Gets the Dog?

Going through a divorce can be one of the most stressful times in your life. It can get even more stressful if you have pets involved. The number of divorce cases where the question of who gets the family pet is growing significantly each year. Divorcing couples often see their pet as another member of the family and wouldn't dream of leaving them behind. They are emotionally attached and will fight tooth and nail for their pets.

Thinking About Divorce? Try Marriage Counseling First

Every marriage requires constant work. There is no marriage that escapes that truth. Either your marriage is getting better or it is getting worse. It depends on how you interact in the marriage and what kind of habits you have. The more bad habits you have, such as not communicating, lying, or putting other people first, the more chance you have of a failed marriage. The good news is that you can easily fix those bad habits if you are willing to seek help outside of your marriage.

6 Reasons Not to Hide Assets in a Michigan Divorce

Getting a divorce is typically a painful and stressful thing to deal with for most. Unfortunately, you can make an already bad situation far worse financially when you choose to try and hide assets while going through a divorce. In an attempt to keep money, property and the like away from your spouse, you will end up paying a lot more as a consequence for trying to hide assets. If you’ve been thinking about “putting something on the side” or conveniently failing to mention “extra income” you're setting yourself up for financial hardship. To help keep you and your bank account out of harm's way, here are 6 ways to avoid making unnecessary financial mistakes during your divorce.

Spending Mistakes That Will Affect Your Divorce Proceedings

In 2012, Dr. Terri Orbuch, a research professor and psychologist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, conducted a study of divorced couples. In that study, 49% of the 373 divorced couples who participated stated that fighting about money issues including poor spending habits, lying about money and ignoring financial issues ultimately led to their divorce. So it's no wonder that even during a divorce, couples continue to make some of the same spending mistakes that often end up causing long-term financial problems.

Let's take a look at some of the most common spending mistakes made during a divorce and also include tips on how you can avoid making the same mistakes. (And keep in mind that there are other costly divorce mistakes that actually have nothing to do with finances.)

Safeguard Your Marriage From Divorce - Ways to Prevent Infidelity

Trust in a marriage is crucial. When that trust is broken, the rest of the marriage can crumble very quickly. One of the biggest ways to break trust is to have an affair in the marriage. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can prevent infidelity from occurring at all in the marriage.

Living the Single Life Again After a Michigan Divorce

We all live our life somewhat habitually. We get up and do the same things every day and feel comfortable and safe because of it. After a divorce or separation our lives are uprooted and our habits need to be adjusted. You will discover that there are some things that are going to be hard to adjust to, but everything will settle down as time creates new habits for you as a single person, and eventually you will enjoy this new and exciting way of life.