subject: Things Not To Do When Your Friend Gets Divorced [print this page] If you have a friend going through a divorce, its only natural to want to get involved in some way to help make the process a little easier for them. As a friend, youre much needed during these tough times. You can be everything from the shoulder to cry on to the distraction they need to forget the struggles theyre facing for at least a short while.
But if youre not careful, you could also overstep your bounds and become involved in ways that are actually harmful to your friend and the divorce process. How can you make sure this doesnt happen?
All you have to do is make certain you avoid these harmful behaviors when your friend gets divorced.
1. Do not fight with their spouse - Its only natural to want to have your friends back during divorce, but you have to stay out of the way. This isnt your fight, and you have no business jumping in and fighting with your friends spouse. Things are already going to be tough enough as it is. And theres already plenty of drama and fighting. Dont make things worse by joining the fight. Stay out of it for the benefit of everyone involved.
2. Do not say derogatory things about the spouse in front of their children - You may not like your friends spouse, and thats completely fine. However, you do not have the right to try to get your friends children to turn on the other parent. Never say anything mean or nasty about the other parent in front of the children. Those children have the right to have loving relationships with two parents, so if you cant support that, keep your mouth shut.
3. Do not help your friend hide money or assets - During the divorce, there will be a lot of fighting over money and assets. Lets not forget, divorces are costly. There are divorce lawyers in FL that have to be paid, assets that have to be divided up, and alimony and child support arrangements to be determined. Your friend may get desperate and wish to attempt to hide money or assets. He or she may ask for your help. Dont help. Youll be doing something thats illegal and that could get you in serious trouble.
4. Do not say I told you so - There are always friends who were against the marriage from the start. Maybe youre one of those friends. Maybe you know this marriage had no chance of working out. Now isnt the time to boast about how right you were. Your friend doesnt want to hear you say, I told you so.
5. Do not be selfish and withholding - You need to be there for your friend now more than ever. Dont be selfish or withdrawn. Be available. Be there to listen, and offer to help in any way you can. Maybe you can offer to watch your friends kids while he or she goes out to run errands. Do whatever you can to make things a little easier on your friend during these rough times.
By avoiding these 5 behaviors, you can be a helpful, supporting friend during the divorce.
