Erin Levine’s Post

Divorce: A Shocking Twist I've always looked back on my divorce back in the mid 1990’s as the best decision I ever made. It felt like shedding a heavy weight and embracing a new chapter. But listening to a divorce specialist on the radio yesterday completely changed my perspective. Apparently, many couples get so caught up in the bitterness of a breakup that they refuse to compromise, convinced they're always right. The specialist mentioned that a staggering 90% of couples who go to counselling actually reconcile! And for those who do divorce, there's a surprising number who eventually find their way back to each other. In fact, it was said studies show that between 10-15% of separated couples reconcile, and approximately 6% of divorced couples remarry each other. It's a completely different picture to the one I had in mind. I guess everyone's situation is unique, but it's certainly food for thought. Some points that were made on the talk show I wanted to share: Sharing personal experiences as a cautionary tale can be misleading. While it's natural to want to help others avoid pain, generalising one's experience to fit everyone's situation isn't fair or accurate. Every relationship is unique, with its own complexities and challenges. What works for one couple might be disastrous for another. It's important to remember that: •Individual circumstances matter: Factors like communication styles, values, and life stages play a huge role in relationship dynamics. •Blaming a single factor: Attributing a relationship's failure to a single cause (like divorce) oversimplifies complex issues. •Doubting others' experiences: Dismissing someone's happiness or success in a relationship based on personal experience is unfair and judgmental. Instead of focusing on negative outcomes, it's more helpful to share positive strategies for building strong relationships. This includes open communication, compromise, empathy, and seeking professional help when needed. Maybe there's hope for couples who are on the brink of divorce. Perhaps with the right support and a willingness to see things from the other person's point of view, reconciliation is possible. Has anyone else had a similar experience? What I did think though from listening to the radio chat that how help led to some heartwarming stories of how people got together again and talking about divorce does not have to be all doom and gloom as it was for me.

It’s time to update our model for divorce.  What struggling families need is compassion, not to be forced into outdated battle lines that serve no one but the system itself. So what can we do? 🚀 Recognize the Evolution: Relationships evolve, and when it is ending, we need to grieve. It shouldn't be about proving someone did something wrong.  It’s about recognizing when it's time to transition for the well-being of everyone involved. 🤔 It's Not About Blame: Deciding to end a marriage doesn't make either person a bad individual. In fact, it takes emotional maturity to see that the healthiest option might be to create two happy, healthy households instead of maintaining one that is stressful or toxic. 🌈 Prioritize Health and Happiness: The well-being of your children is paramount. By choosing to transition thoughtfully and respectfully, you are demonstrating a commitment to creating a positive environment for them. Two loving homes are far better than one filled with tension. If you are sadly facing divorce, you have options.  At Family Transitions, we believe in a compassionate and modern approach to divorce. We guide you through this process with empathy and understanding, helping you navigate asset division, support arrangements, and parenting plans with clarity and confidence so that you feel optimistic about the future ahead.🦋 We also have a private Facebook Group you can join if you are looking for support as try to navigate next steps.  Feel free to join or share if you know someone in need!

When you’re in the middle of a divorce, it can feel like you’re juggling everything—figuring out your finances, navigating complex legal processes, and holding yourself up through it all. Here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it alone. There are people who can help support you every step of the way. 🙌 An attorney! Going the DIY route with divorce might be appealing for some divorcing couples, but the reality is that divorce is a complex legal process, as well as a complex emotional one. Besides ensuring the right paperwork gets filed on time, an experienced attorney helps you understand your options, set realistic goals for the future, and advocate for your needs. 🙌 Your strong financial future depends on the level of alignment between your spending behaviors and your goals. Financial planners can help you get a handle on your budget, create a smart savings plan, and provide tips to rein in spending if necessary. 🙌 If you’re considering a career pivot or need retraining to get yourself back into the workforce, career coaches can help identify the best next steps in your education. 🙌 Emotional resources, like individual and group talk therapy, allow you to process the emotions that accompany divorce. You can come out the other side feeling empowered to move forward with healthy coping strategies. 🙌 If children are involved, co-parenting courses and resources are available to help develop strategies for more collaborative co-parenting. Don’t go it alone. Schedule a strategic planning session with our firm and get the individualized support you need ▶️ https://bit.ly/3wbXgID

For your divorcing clients, divorce can often feel like a storm raging within, manifesting as a whirlwind of emotions that swirl around them, visible to others as moments of despair, frustration, or overwhelming stress. From the outside, it may look like sudden mood swings, tearful breakdowns, or a sense of withdrawal from life's daily routines. 🌪️ This internal chaos can disrupt not only their emotional well-being but also their ability to engage effectively with the world around them. For professionals in the divorce field, understanding this emotional landscape is crucial. We can help our clients find a supportive community that can act like the eye of the storm—calm and secure. At Time to Rise, we provide strategies to help calm the tumult, such as: 1. Mindfulness and Reflection - Activities that foster inner peace and help members regain their center. 2. Shared Experiences - Connections are made with others who have navigated similar challenges. 3. Practical Guidance - Access to tools and advice on managing the practical aspects of divorce, such as financial instability, reducing uncertainty and stress. Our community is dedicated to transforming these challenges into manageable experiences. 🌤️ Ready to help your clients navigate their personal storms with greater clarity and peace? Suggest that they join our community and discover how collective support can turn tumultuous waves into a guiding current toward new beginnings.

The holidays can be tough, especially when you're navigating the process of divorce, thinking about divorce, or recently divorced. But you’re not alone! 💡 This article shares 14 secrets from divorced women on how to survive (and even thrive!) this holiday season. https://lnkd.in/e9rV8b3s Here are a few tips that can help: Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no to events or people that drain you. Create new traditions: Start something fresh that brings you joy and reflects your new chapter. Practice self-care: Prioritize what makes you feel good, whether it’s quiet time, a walk, or a spa day. Focus on gratitude: Even small things can bring comfort and light to the season. These tips are full of wisdom and practical advice for making the holidays your own. Read more and find your way to a joyful season.

Listen up, Men! Divorce has turned into a cash cow for women, a lucrative business where they walk away with half your assets and more. Let’s not sugarcoat it—marriage to the wrong woman can destroy everything you’ve built. You think you’re safe because you’ve got the love and trust? Think again. One wrong move, one argument blown out of proportion, and you could find yourself facing divorce papers, watching your hard-earned wealth get siphoned off in alimony and settlements. This isn’t just about money; it’s about your entire life’s work. You’ve hustled, grinded, and sacrificed to build something meaningful, and in the blink of an eye, it can all be taken away if you’re not careful. Marrying the wrong woman isn’t just a mistake—it’s a catastrophic error that can render your years of effort utterly pointless. The courts are set up to favor her, society is set up to favor her, and if she’s the wrong kind, she’ll play the system like a seasoned pro. She’ll have no qualms about ripping out your financial jugular if it means she walks away with a cushy lifestyle while you’re left picking up the pieces of what’s left of your shattered empire. So, choose your wife wisely. Don’t let emotions or societal pressure push you into a decision that could ruin you. Take your time, vet her thoroughly, and make sure she’s the type who’s in it for the long haul, not just until things get tough or a better option comes along. Your future, your assets, and your peace of mind depend on it. Marry the wrong woman, and you might as well kiss all your hard work goodbye. rana

Going through a divorce is tough, not just emotionally but also financially. ↳ Quite often, one spouse isn't well-versed in the family finances, which can cause significant stress during a divorce. Let me share a story of Carol (name changed for privacy) who faced this exact challenge. → In her mid-50s and unacquainted with handling finances due to her spouse managing them throughout their 25-year marriage, the prospect of suddenly handling everything alone was daunting. Here’s how we stepped in: ☑ Expense Management: We meticulously went through expenses with Carol, using worksheets to categorize and understand her spending habits. ☑ Financial Forecasting: We projected her post-divorce financial landscape, helping her visualize her monthly spending without the mortgage payment. ☑ Retirement Planning: Adjustments were made to her spending to ensure a more secure financial future. ↳ The result? Carol walked away from her divorce feeling equipped and confident, making informed decisions about her finances and future. ↳This highlights a crucial point: during life's most turbulent phases, like a divorce, having a clear, structured financial strategy is vital. ↳ It not only provides stability but also imparts a sense of control and empowerment. 💬 Have you or someone you know gone through a similar experience? Share below one way they managed to gain a greater sense of control of their financial future.

Part of my story is that I am the product of a hostile divorce. I never saw my parents together. In some ways, this was an advantage because I never knew what I was missing out on. This is why my heartstrings are pulled, when my clients are so bogged down in their conflict, that any vision of a future relationship is shattered. Whilst clients don't need to love or even like the person they are in conflict with, the reality is that if they share children, pets, or a business, they will be tied to that person for most, if not the rest, of their life, after a separation. They can "loosen the knot," but will always be connected This is why I ask my clients: 1. Do you plan on celebrating your child's 18th or 21st birthday? 2. Do you plan on attending and celebrating your child's wedding one day? The typical answer is "of course, I'll be there" which, means that their child has to tell the other parent that the other parent, will also be present. This often leads to discomfort and the decision that maybe one or both parents don’t attend. But I challenge this perspective: is it really a time for their discomfort to be considered, or is it about creating a situation where their child can have both parents there for important moments in their life? Ultimately, it is my goal that all my clients prioritise what is best for their children, in the present and the future. This requires setting aside resentments to ensure that their kids can experience the support and love of both parents during significant milestones. By fostering a cooperative approach, even in challenging times, they not only strengthen their children's sense of security but also demonstrate the resilience and maturity necessary to build a positive future for their family. If you believe I can help your clients resolve their conflicts, please direct them to my website https://lnkd.in/ghm7SNfQ. They can book a free 15-minute virtual coffee with me to discuss their needs and work towards a positive future for themselves and their family.

The holidays can be a time of joy—and reflection. For many, this season shines a spotlight on decisions about their future and whether they’re living in alignment with what they truly want. If you’re contemplating divorce, you may be wondering: How do I decide when is the right time to take that step? In Meghan Freed's new blog post: “Should I File for Divorce Before the Holidays?" she covers: ✨ How the timing might affect finances, taxes, or other practical matters. ✨ How to think through what's *actually* best for your kids. ✨ Why creating a plan—aligned with your goals—can help you feel more grounded and confident. Making the right decision isn’t about rushing—it’s about understanding your options and getting yourself set yourself up for a strong, focused start to 2024.

Life after divorce can present unforeseen challenges for many individuals. Despite the separation, communication with an ex-partner might not only remain strained but could potentially worsen. Parenting becomes more complex when navigating across two households, especially when one feels a loss of influence over the children’s environment. Additionally, financial pressures often intensify due to the costs associated with divorce and the shift to a single-income household. As professionals dedicated to supporting clients through these transitions, it's crucial to provide them with resources that offer not just advice but real understanding and practical support. My Time to Rise Community is a positive resource—a beacon of hope and empowerment for those struggling with the aftermath of divorce. This community is designed to assist individuals in navigating the challenges of parenting, co-parenting, and finding personal peace amidst the upheaval. It offers access to expert guidance, success stories from those who've walked this path, and a supportive network for sharing and growth. By joining, your clients can find the strength and wisdom they need to move forward, turning a challenging chapter into a story of empowerment and peace. Encourage your clients to explore the Time to Rise Community as part of their journey towards healing and growth. It's a step towards not just coping, but thriving in their new life chapter. Have them sign up & learn more at