The stages of divorce are similar in many ways to the stages of grief. Whether you’re divorcing your partner or they’re divorcing you, it can be a difficult process that requires patience and resilience. It’s important to give yourself grace at each stage of the process and reach out to your support system to help you when you need them. Let’s look a little closer at the stages of divorce.
1. Denial:
Denial is the initial reaction to the end of a marriage or relationship. This stage is often characterized by disbelief, shock and confusion. It’s a defense mechanism that helps people cope with the news while they process their feelings.
2. Exhilaration:
As time passes and reality sets in, many individuals begin to feel relief and even exhilaration when realizing they are no longer in an unhappy situation. This can be particularly helpful if someone was stuck in an unhealthy relationship for an extended period of time.
3. Blame:
Many times during divorce proceedings, blame gets assigned to one person or another. During this stage, couples may argue over who is “responsible” for the split as well as other issues such as who will get custody of the children.
4. Depression:
After blaming one another, divorcing couples may experience depression. This can include sadness, anger, guilt and even regret over decisions made during the marriage or relationship.
5. Seeking help/Therapy:
During this stage, it’s important to seek counseling or therapy to safely explore your feelings and process them in a constructive way. Therapy can also help ensure that everyone involved is on the same page when it comes to dealing with divorce proceedings.
6. Testing the waters as a single person:
Once a divorce has been finalized, many individuals enter into a period of self-exploration and experimentation where they test out their newfound freedom. This can include joining a new gym, dating or simply taking some time for oneself.
7. Acceptance:
Finally, when the stages of divorce have been navigated and all the legal proceedings are over, individuals reach a stage of acceptance where they come to terms with the end of their marriage or relationship and move on to the next chapter in life.
Divorce cases can be messy and it’s important to seek help from experienced professionals if you need assistance during this difficult process. At Bulldog PI, we understand the complexities of divorce proceedings and provide confidential services that will help you get through this trying time. We understand that sometimes you’ll need information that takes a professional to get. We’re there for you to get the truth you need. We’ve also recently expanded beyond coastal Carolina to cover Spartanburg, Greenville and surrounding areas. If you need us, we’re just a call away.
