How To Tell People You’re Getting Divorced

You and your spouse have decided to divorce. You’ve told the kids, but now you should probably tell friends and other family members. Maybe you should tell your neighbors and the kids’ teachers as well. Your co-workers should probably know as well.

So how do you navigate this? Is there some sort of script you should follow? How do you approach the situation? What should you say?

It’s an emotional time for you and understandably, you may be at a loss for words. A divorce is no doubt a major life change, so how do you go about effectively expressing it to others? Here’s some advice on how you can announce your new marital status to friends, neighbors, and others who need to know.

Define the Divorce

How would you describe your divorce? Is it amicable? Was it a surprise? Or you can also talk about the divorce you desire, such as “I’m working toward a quick, non-confrontational divorce with little drama.”

If you and your spouse divorced on bad terms – over an issue like an affair or addiction, for example – avoid badmouthing. But feel free to paint yourself in a good light. Being positive about the situation is certainly better than being bitter and negative.

Figure Out What You Want

Once you tell important people about your divorce, what happens next? People may feel uncomfortable about this information because they may feel as though they have to take sides. Or they may not know how to react. Therefore, be ready to tell them what you need from them, whether it’s a shoulder to cry on, some help with the kids, assistance with moving, or something else.

Close the Conversation

If you don’t end the conversation, it’ll keep going on and on and you may say something you regret. That’s why you need to have a conversation ender in mind. Say something that will shift the attention from you to the other person. This could be something as simple as “So what’s new with you?” or “How is your family?”

Give Updates as Needed

The divorce status will change over time, so you may need to change the way you discuss it with others. You can let friends know you’re excited about the final decree and ready to move on with your life. If you’ve been putting in more time at work due to the free time you now have in the evenings, you should let your boss know that you’d like a raise. So giving updates can work in your favor!

Seek Legal Help

Getting a divorce is not an easy situation, especially when you have to break the news to others. You may be concerned about saying the right things.

Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can guide you through the divorce process and give you the right advice for your situation. To schedule a consultation with our office, call 954-764-4330 or fill out the online form.

Source:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/splitopia/201612/how-tell-others-youre-getting-divorced