Coping Strategies In A New York Divorce: Best 5 Ways To Handle Stress And Emotional Challenges

Divorce is an undeniably challenging experience, often marked by intense emotional turmoil, overwhelming legal complexities, and significant life changes. Navigating this difficult journey can feel unbearable, but there are ways to ease the transition.

My goal here is to provide you with some practical advice and support if you’re going through a divorce. The five key pieces of advice I unpack range from focusing on self-care to managing legal aspects efficiently, but they are all designed to help you find stability and hope during the incredibly tumultuous time you’re either about to start or already find yourself trudging through.

1. Connect With A Therapist

Divorce is statistically one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Engaging with a therapist can help you manage the stress you’ll likely experience. If you already have a mild mental illness, it’s only exacerbated by the stress of a divorce case.

If you happen to already be in therapy, let your therapist know about your situation. They may adjust your treatment plan, increasing session frequency or modifying medication if necessary. Do your best to fight against any stigma you may have about therapy. Many people view seeing a therapist as a negative thing, but it shouldn’t be, especially in contested custody or visitation matters.

In the context of your divorce case or any related issues, such as custody or visitation, being in therapy (in itself) will have no bearing on the outcome. A judge or jury won’t view you in a negative light, for example, if you’re seeing a therapist – only being diagnosed with something that inhibits your ability to care for your children would.

2. Monitor And Support Your Children

Just like adults, children also experience stress during a divorce. If your children are already in therapy, inform their therapist about the divorce to see if additional support will be needed. If they are not in therapy, watch for signs of stress, such as acting out, inattentiveness, or a decline in school performance. Regularly check in with your children’s teachers and counselors to monitor their well-being and address any issues promptly.

Attorney David Bliven, based in New York, is a distinguished family law attorney with extensive experience helping clients navigate the emotional and legal complexities of divorce. With a proven track record in achieving favorable outcomes for his clients, David is well-versed in handling contested custody and visitation matters, providing compassionate and strategic support throughout the process.

Thinking of filing for divorce or already have and need help?
Contact the Law Offices of David Bliven today to schedule a consultation and learn how he can help.

3. Consult With An Attorney Early

Consulting with an attorney before initiating a divorce will help you understand the legal process and prepare for what lies ahead. This can dramatically reduce anxiety and prevent unpleasant surprises from popping up later in the process. Many attorneys offer free resources such as eBooks, blogs or discounted initial consultations. Use these to educate yourself about the divorce process as a supplement to directly meeting with an attorney.

4. Hire A Specialized Attorney

Hiring an attorney at the earliest possible stage of your divorce process is critical for so many reasons. Many mistakenly believe they can handle their divorce on their own, often thinking:

• I’m intelligent; I can do this.
• I do my own taxes, so why can’t I do my own divorce?
• I’m an attorney; I know the law. I don’t need an attorney to represent me.

True as these things may seem to be, it’s still absolutely essential to hire a good attorney, especially one who has a specialty in divorce law. They’ll be able to guide you through gathering documents, planning for contested issues, and navigating court proceedings. More than this, they will provide a roadmap for your case, outlining points of intersection between the strategy you’ve adopted and the steps of the legal process.

5. Maintain Regular Communication With Your Attorney

Before each court date, have a check-in with your attorney to understand what to expect and prepare any necessary documents or arguments. Likewise, after each court appearance, schedule a debrief with your attorney to clarify any confusion, understand the outcomes, and plan the next steps. This communication reduces anxiety and keeps you informed about your case’s progress.

For more information on Coping Strategies In A New York Divorce, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (914) 362-3080 today.