Divorce Can Have Effects You Didn’t Anticipate
When most people think about divorce, they only consider the mental and emotional effects. However, a divorce can impact a person’s life in many different ways. Some of these ways are unexpected, and can catch people off guard.
It is best to do plenty of research and prepare for any surprises that could make your divorce (and life after the divorce) even more challenging than it already is. Here are six of the least anticipated effects of divorce that you should be aware of:
Change in credit scores
While a change in your relationship or marriage status does not necessarily change your credit score, you may begin to max out your credit cards, which could lower your credit score. Those going through a divorce typically see a change in their spending habits, whether from legal fees, new rental or mortgage payments, less income, and more. In addition, if your ex-spouse does not make a payment on a bill that still has your name on it, your credit score may drop significantly.
A lower credit score can stick around for a long time, affecting you financially in various ways. For example, it may be difficult to find a new place to live because landlords want a tenant with a great credit score. You may also have a hard time buying a new car, which could make it difficult to get to and from work if you and your ex-spouse were sharing a vehicle that you no longer have.
Loss of health insurance
If you were on your ex-spouse’s health insurance plan, you must get your own health insurance after the divorce. This can be difficult, especially if you are a small business owner, a freelancer, self-employed, or a contract worker as you most likely do not receive health insurance coverage through your job. While some people may think that they should forgo health insurance altogether, you may find yourself in an even more challenging situation if you experience a medical emergency or life-threatening injury and do not have any coverage. Therefore, it is a good idea to obtain your own health insurance coverage as soon as possible.
Change of income and budget
You may have become used to a two-income household giving you the freedom to spend as you wish. However, now that you and your ex-spouse have ended the marriage, you only have one income. It can be extremely difficult to learn how to create a budget that works for your sole income, especially if you did not work much and were financially dependent on your ex-spouse. If this is the case, you may now have zero income, which means you may need to go back to school, learn a trade, or re-enter the workforce again.
Regardless of your circumstances, going from a two-income household to a one-person household is very difficult. Now you have to budget for things that you never had to think twice about before, such as groceries, utilities, and a night out with friends.
Missing work
Another effect of divorce is the amount of time that you may need to take off from work. Whether you need to attend court hearings, no longer have your ex-spouse at home to watch the kids until you get off work, or need to meet with your counselor who is helping you through this process, you may miss a lot of work. Once the divorce is finalized and you have joint custody of your children, you will now have to make sure you are available to pick up your child from school if they are sick, make sure they get to soccer practice, and have dinner ready by a certain time. This can be extremely stressful and overwhelming in the beginning, especially if you were dependent on your ex-spouse for these things.
Needing extra assistance with children
After a divorce, you may realize that you will need extra assistance with your children. Depending on the ages of your children, you may need a nanny, babysitter, or daycare to watch your child when you are at work. However, this can be very expensive. You must make sure that you are still bringing home enough money to pay your bills after subtracting these expenses from your income. Instead, it may be a good idea to ask for help from your parents, siblings, or other family members who would voluntarily spend time with your kids while you work to pay the bills.
Moving costs and preparations
It is absolutely necessary to determine your moving plans and costs after a divorce. For example, you will now need to find a new place to rent or buy, rent a U-Haul, pay for movers, and prepare your current house for sale. Before the divorce is finalized, you must decide where you will live, whether you will rent or own, and how much rent or mortgage you can afford with one income. You will also need to have difficult conversations with your ex-spouse about what you want to do with the family home; whether you will fix it up, or whether you will sell it as-is, for example. These decisions can be very hard to make, but you must carefully consider how they can impact your life going forward.
The San Antonio divorce lawyers at Grable Grimshaw, PLLC know and understand that divorce is never an easy experience. It can help to prepare for the consequences that you never expected to deal with. If you need help or guidance with the ways that divorce can impact you or your life, please call our office or submit our contact form today. We have a San Antonio office, and can help you navigate every hurdle that emerges throughout the divorce process.