Setting Realistic Expectations

Life is going to be different after divorce. You can’t always maintain the same lifestyle, and change can be scary, especially when you’re faced with unknowns, but according to Pia and Wendy, you can have a “revised happily ever after.” 

One of the keys to moving forward is setting realistic expectations. Although most clients don't want the same things, this divorce team agrees that if can prioritize what you want the most, you’re more likely to get it and be able to be more thoughtful in addressing other things. To illustrate the way couples can lose focus of the big picture, Wendy shares a story of a couple who had over $2 million in assets but, in the end, were arguing over a $20 toaster.

Wendy and Pia encourage you to ask yourself if there's value in continuing to disagree, or could compromise be more valuable? They advise you to narrow in on the real issues. Is this emotional? Is this practical? How can you get unstuck?

Finding creative options can help you to break free and move forward. As Wendy says, “We can't fix the past, but we can facilitate a path to a better future.”

They also recommend tools people can use, such as a therapist, co-parenting counseling, or a career coach for people re-entering the workforce.

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J. Pia Koslow, practices law in Atlanta, specializing in family law for 15 years and was named a Rising Stars for years 2010 – 2016, and a Georgia Trend Legal Elite in 2013, and 2015-2018, both elite designations based on peer recognition, and professional achievement. You can reach her at koslowlaw.com.

Wendy Hayes is a former Chief Financial Officer and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who has leveraged her own experiences with life transitions to launch Mitchell Hayes. You can reach Wendy at Mitchellhayes.net.