Divorce Tips: How To Break The News To Close Family & Friends

Posted on

One of the hardest things to accept is that you are getting divorced. Both you and your spouse have made connections--as a couple--to family members and friends. These relationships are special and deserve care and consideration. The following guide will help you break the news about your divorce to your loved ones. 

Gauge The Reaction

Your family and friends may react positively if they thought your spouse was no good for you. But that is not always the case, which is the reason you need to treat this announcement with care. 

To gauge possible reactions, analyze the relationship you and your spouse have with your loved ones. This will help you decide who should break the news to a family member or friend. The spouse who is the closest to the family member or friend may want to break the news. News of this magnitude might be easier to deal with if it comes from the person they care about the most. 

Additional Benefits of Breaking the News Separately

As mentioned above, breaking the news separately might be helpful to you and your family member or friend. This will allow your friend of family member to confide his or her feelings and thoughts, and you will be there for support. 

Breaking the news separately also helps you avoid any confrontations between you and your spouse. A confrontation may intensify feelings of anger in your family member or friend towards both of you. 

If you and your spouse are on good terms, try to practice what you are going to say to your family member or friend with your spouse. Make sure you and your spouse agree with the information that is okay to share. 

You can also ask your divorce attorney for help, as he or she may have suggestions. Your divorce attorney should also be able to recommend a counselor if you need one. A legal office such as Hart Law Offices, PC can give you more information.

Try Not to Over-Inform

Your friends or family members might be shocked to hear this news and may naturally want more information about it. Try not to divulge too much information, because you might create hostility between them and your spouse. There could be all kinds of details, like infidelities, that they do not need to know about. It may even cause your family member or friend to not fully lend his or her support during your time of need. 

As you can see, there are a few things to consider when breaking the news to your family and friends. And sharing the news properly may help salvage the relationships you and your spouse have created. 


Share