You and your partner have arrived at the difficult decision to end your marriage. Divorce was undoubtedly a challenging choice to make. You may have gone through months of couples therapy or tried discernment counseling to determine the best path for your relationship and family. Nonetheless, your efforts have led you to a decision where the road ahead likely feels long and stressful.
During a divorce, social support is essential. Research shows that individuals going through major life transitions like this need more support. In addition to friends and family, it’s important to have tailored resources to help navigate the process and grow from the experience. Depending on your specific needs, there are many trusted resources available: divorce books, podcasts, workshops, and even employee benefits that can help.
We understand that the divorce experience casts a wide net and can vary significantly from person to person. We hope you can add a few of these resources to your toolkit as you move through your divorce recovery process.
Book: “Why Do Families Change?: Our First Talk About Separation and Divorce” by Dr. Jillian Roberts
This resource is most helpful for couples talking to their children about divorce.
Top takeaways from therapist Danae Kauffman
This children’s book offers a way for parents to talk to their young children about separation and divorce. “Why Do Families Change” provides parents with the right words to explain to their kids what’s happening in a way that’s easy for them to understand. Parents can use the book to start a conversation with their children and then share more about their own situation.
The book is available on Kindle, Audiobook, and hard copy.
Workshop: “Second Saturday Workshop” by Dr. Jillian Roberts
This resource is helpful for anyone contemplating divorce or going through the early stages of separation or divorce.
Top takeaways from therapist Anna Malles
Second Saturday workshops offer impartial financial, emotional, and legal advice from certified local experts. The virtual (and sometimes in-person) monthly workshop is an excellent resource for people to hear from experts about the legal, emotional, and financial impact of divorce. Participants in the workshop learn self-support and can find solidarity with others facing similar struggles.
The organization has a long-standing tradition of supporting women’s financial literacy and independence. However, the workshops aim to offer legal, emotional, and financial advice to people of any gender going through a divorce. The inclusive approach ensures that everyone, regardless of gender, can benefit from the knowledge, support, and resources provided to navigate their divorce confidently.
The free workshop takes place on the second Saturday every month from 8:30am–1:00pm EST.
Legal advice: A Family Law Attorney
This resource is most helpful for divorcing couples with complex legal matters.
Top takeaways from therapist Dr. Faith Drew
When a couple considers divorce, they often weigh the pros and cons of working with a mediator versus hiring a family law attorney. A family law attorney may be better in situations involving complex legal issues. For instance, a family law attorney’s expertise can be invaluable if the spouses are not communicating effectively or are unwilling to collaborate on matters like child custody, spousal support, and asset division.
Family law attorneys are skilled at navigating litigation and can represent their clients in court. They understand court procedures and provide customized legal advice based on individual cases to help clients understand their rights and options under state law. However, it’s important to note that the services of a family law attorney typically come with higher financial costs.
Charlotte native and family law attorney Kyle LeBlanc of Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin, PLLC, has shared his expertise with us on two occasions: prenups and supporting your kids through divorce.
Legal alternative: Divorce Mediator
This resource is most helpful for couples looking to separate or divorce without going through a lawyer.
Top takeaways from therapist Hanna Rose
Couples may prefer a divorce mediator over a family law attorney for a collaborative and less adversarial divorce process, especially if their finances and custody agreements are relatively simple. Mediators help spouses cooperatively negotiate and reach agreements outside of court.
Mediation can be completed in one meeting for couples without children and two meetings for couples with children. Mediators will create legal documents based on the agreement reached in mediation. The couple can file them later with the court if they choose to.
If you’re curious about how divorce mediation works, check out this post from Carolina Divorce Mediators to learn more. Their mediators offer an affordable, thorough, and quick alternative for couples to begin the process of separation.
App: “Our Family Wizard”
This resource is most helpful for parents who are not living together.
Top takeaways from therapist Ali Flowers
The “Our Family Wizard” mobile app helps make co-parenting effective and kid-focused. With this app, parents can collaborate on a parenting schedule, monitor expenses, and use tools like ToneMeter™ to ensure that their communication remains positive and productive. Additionally, GPS tags are available to simplify the process of staying organized. The app also includes child custody calendars that are straightforward and user-friendly.
Grandparents and other caretakers can also use this app to communicate and keep everyone on the same page regarding the children.
Cost: Between $12.50 – $18/month, minimum of one year subscription
Podcast: The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast
This resource is most helpful for individuals in various stages of their divorce recovery process.
Top takeaways from therapist Kelsee White
The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast explores separation and divorce, highlighting challenges and resiliencies during this transition. The host, Kate Anthony, is a Life Coach who has also experienced the throws of divorce herself. She interviews experts, including family law attorneys, mediators, therapists, financial experts, and other divorce survivors, on common topics that arise during divorce.
Most episodes are 30 minutes to 1 hour long.
Workplace benefit: Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
This resource is most helpful for those looking for linkage to emotional support or legal/financial assistance in their community.
Top takeaways from therapist Kelsee White
If your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Program, you may have access to free benefits that can help with divorce. The EAP can assist you with setting up a legal consultation, financial resources/advice, or counseling services within your community as you work through your divorce process.
Not all employers offer an EAP. Check with your human resources department or supervisor to see if your organization offers this benefit.
Book: “The Divorce Remedy” by Michele Weiner Davis
This resource is for anyone looking to grow and heal from divorce.
Top takeaways from therapist Brittany Bolden
“The Divorce Remedy” offers a unique perspective for those going through or have been through a divorce. It challenges the assumption that divorce equals failure and instead emphasizes the power of individual action in creating a fulfilling life after separation.
The author, therapist Michele Weiner Davis, outlines a straightforward 7-step program focused on personal growth and self-reflection. Davis’s book encourages recognizing unhealthy communication patterns, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care to navigate divorce’s emotional turmoil. By following her advice, readers can find renewed purpose and happiness, overcoming the obstacles of divorce.
Divorce is a life-changing experience.
Having the support and resources to guide you through the process is essential for feeling prepared and uplifted through each stage of your divorce. Our practice offers in-person appointments in Charlotte, NC, and Carefree, AZ. We also have virtual sessions available for those who live in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Texas. Contact us to get started.