Five Key Areas to Improve in Your Life to Minimize the Risk of Divorce

In life, we all stumble and make mistakes; none of us are perfect. However, certain moments call for heightened caution, especially when it comes to minimizing the risk of divorce. The divorce process can be emotionally draining, and the decisions made during this time can have a lasting impact on your life. To help you navigate through this challenging phase, we’ll explore common pitfalls in five key areas and provide insights on how to avoid them: lifestyle, taxes, the family home, legalities, and insurance.

Table of Contents

Lifestyle

One of the major adjustments after a divorce is your lifestyle and financial situation. Many find it challenging to maintain the same standard of living they were accustomed to during their marriage. To avoid financial distress, it’s crucial to be realistic about the lifestyle you can afford in your new chapter.

Start by accurately assessing your expenses. Building a budgetary discipline may take time, but it’s essential to identify what you truly need to live comfortably and identify areas where you can cut back.

If you have children, involve them in the financial discussions. Communicate openly about the changes they might experience and set appropriate expectations. This approach can help them adapt to the new financial reality and minimize any negative impact.

Taxes

Navigating the complexities of taxes during a divorce can be overwhelming. Seeking assistance from professionals, such as attorneys, financial planners, and accountants, can be invaluable in avoiding tax-related mistakes.

During the property settlement negotiation, remember that assets of the same value may not be equal due to varying tax implications. For instance, retirement accounts and after-tax brokerage accounts are taxed differently, which can significantly impact their overall value.

Understanding capital gains and losses is essential. If you sell a security at a loss in an after-tax account, you realize a capital loss. The IRS allows a deduction from ordinary income up to $3,000 and any additional losses can be carried forward to future tax years. Consider these factors when dividing your investment portfolio during divorce settlement negotiations.

The Family Home

Deciding what to do with the family home is another critical aspect of divorce. Emotional ties and concern for children can cloud the judgment of keeping the home, even if it’s not financially viable.

Take a pragmatic approach to evaluate the affordability of the home. Consider mortgage payments, taxes, and maintenance costs. While the family home holds sentimental value, it might not be the best financial asset. Weigh the opportunity cost and the potential appreciation of other investments.

Refinancing the mortgage might not always be the best option. Consider factors such as the timeline, mortgage rates, and your creditworthiness before deciding to refinance. Keeping the mortgage as-is could lead to cost savings, especially in high-conflict divorces.

Legalities

The legal aspects of divorce require careful attention to avoid potential complications down the road. If you or your ex-spouse have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, ensure that a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is properly executed to divide these accounts. This legal document allows you to claim a portion of your ex-spouse’s retirement benefits from their employer-sponsored plan.

Review and update your estate plan post-divorce to reflect your new circumstances accurately. Failing to change beneficiaries and estate planning documents can lead to unintended consequences. Consult an estate planning attorney to ensure your assets pass according to your intentions.

Insurance

Insurance is often overlooked during divorce, leading to potential financial vulnerability. Ensure that spousal support and child support are appropriately insured in case of the payor’s death or disability. Although not always mandatory by law, owning disability and life insurance policies on the payor can provide an added layer of protection for the recipient.

Confirm that any agreed-upon insurance policies are still active and that you are named as the beneficiary. In the event of a policy lapse, the recipient may lose out on insurance benefits.

Learning from Mistakes

Divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process, and mistakes are easy to make. Building a strong support team, including attorneys, financial advisors, and other professionals, can help you navigate through the common pitfalls.

While there is no guaranteed smooth path, being informed and cautious in these key areas can significantly reduce the risk of post-divorce regrets. Learning from the experiences of others can empower you to make better decisions for your future.

Remember, the information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Seek guidance from qualified professionals to address your unique situation effectively. The path ahead may be challenging, but with the right approach and support, you can build a brighter future after divorce.

This information is for educational purposes and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax, insurance, or investment advice. This does not constitute an offer to provide any services, nor a solicitation to purchase securities. The contents are not intended to be advice tailored to any particular person or situation. We believe the information provided is accurate and reliable, but do not warrant it as to completeness or accuracy. This information may include opinions or forecasts, including investment strategies and economic and market conditions; however, there is no guarantee that such opinions or forecasts will prove to be correct, and they also may change without notice. We encourage you to speak with a qualified professional regarding your scenario and the then-current applicable laws and rules.

Different types of investments involve degrees of risk. The future performance of any investment or wealth management strategy, including those recommended by us, may not be profitable or suitable or prove successful. Past performance is not indicative of future results. One cannot invest directly in an index or benchmark, and those do not reflect the deduction of various fees that would diminish results. Any index or benchmark performance figures are for comparison purposes only, and client account holdings will not directly correspond to any such data.