How Do I Spread the Word that I’m Divorcing?

Here are our tips for telling your parents, friends, and boss, along with your child’s caregivers, about your split.

After countless conversations, you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse have decided to go your separate ways.

Now comes one of the hardest parts: Who do you tell? Should you break the news the same way to everyone?

It’s time to take a deep breath. Remember, not every conversation will be the same, and you only need to share the details that you want to share. You can end the chat at any time, and resume it when it’s a better time for you.

Here are our tips for telling your parents, friends, and boss, along with your child’s caregivers, about your split. 

How to Tell Your Parents You’re Getting Divorced

After you break the news to your children, the next people you’ll share the news with will most likely be your parents. Because of how naturally protective parents are, it may be easy to cast blame on the other spouse in an effort to get people on your side. However, this can be extremely problematic, especially if you and your spouse share children and will remain involved in each other’s lives once the divorce is finalized. 

The last thing you want is for your parents to hate your soon-to-be-ex-spouse or for your soon-to-be-former-in-laws to treat you poorly every time there is a family gathering that requires both sides to be present. When you’re breaking the news to your parents, remember to deliver the news as calmly as possible and try not to divulge too many details that could sway someone’s opinion. 

When telling your parents about your decision to divorce, remember that the most important goal is to make sure you can count on them for emotional support and understanding moving forward. 

How to Tell Your Friends You’re Getting Divorced

Telling your friends about your divorce can be difficult, especially if you share mutual friends with your spouse. Because of this, some friends may feel like they need to pick a side, not only during the divorce but after it’s been finalized. This can result in a loss of friendship and support, both of which can be devastating during a divorce. Approach the topic of divorce diplomatically and remind your friends that you’re not telling them because you want them to choose sides, but because they’re your support system and important to you.

Should I Talk About My Divorce At Work?

The only person at work who you should tell (if you’re planning on telling co-workers) is your boss, simply because you may need to take time off to attend various court dates or other meetings that involve your impending divorce or child custody case. You may also need to discuss health insurance or other concerns with your human resources department. Even so, remember that it’s always a good recommendation to keep your personal life separate from your workplace. Only share what you feel needs to be shared. 

Who Else Should I Tell About My Divorce?

If you and your spouse share children, you should share the news of your divorce with your child’s doctor, teachers, and babysitters. During a divorce, it’s normal for a child’s behavior to change. They’re adapting to a new family dynamic and in many cases, a new house and new routine. Because of this, children may act out, which could cause concern for teachers, babysitters, and even doctors. If people know that your child is dealing with a big life adjustment, they’ll be better prepared and equipped to help them. 

Contact the Compassionate Family Law Attorneys at Smedley Law Group in Woodbury, NJ Today

If you’re thinking about filing for divorce, you’ll also most likely be dealing with another matter like child custody, child support, or division of assets, so you’ll need to speak with a qualified attorney. The New Jersey family law attorneys at Smedley Law Group represent clients throughout the state, including West Deptford, Woodbury Heights, Runnemede, and Westville. We understand how challenging this time can be for you, which is why we will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Call us at (856) 251-0800 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 750 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.