Everyone who gets married dreams of a “happily ever after.” But the reality is that sometimes marriages don’t work out. Studies show that about 40 to 50% of married couples in the United States get divorced. The rate is even higher for coupes who remarry.
Marriage requires both parties to be committed to making it work. But when that commitment starts to waver, it can strain the relationship. If you find yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. According to reports, the divorce rate among entrepreneurs is between 43%-48%. Since entrepreneurs are usually married to their businesses, it’s not surprising that the two would have difficulty coexisting if the marriage were on the rocks.
If you’re an entrepreneur who is going through a divorce, there are some things you can do to keep your business running smoothly while you sort out your personal life.
Keep Communication Open
If you have children, keep the lines of communication open with your ex-spouse. This can be difficult, especially if there are a lot of conflicts. But it’s important for the sake of your children. They need to feel like they can still talk to both parents and are not stuck in the middle of the divorce.
This communication should extend to your business as well. If you’re going to be working with your ex-spouse on the business, you need to be able to communicate openly and honestly. This won’t be easy, but keeping the company running smoothly is necessary.
It would be better to have a business lawyer present when you communicate with your ex-spouse about the business. This way, you can be sure that any agreements you come to are legally binding. Doing so will protect you and your business in the long run.
Get a Reliable Lawyer
If you and your spouse are considering divorce, you should first consult with a lawyer. Each state has different laws regarding divorce, so it’s essential to have someone on your side who knows the ins and outs of the process. An experienced attorney will be able to advise you on how to protect your assets and ensure that the divorce proceedings go as smoothly as possible.
Suppose you live in Colorado. You’ll need an experienced local divorce lawyer who can help you navigate the state’s unique laws. In Colorado, a spouse or lawyer needs to file a divorce through the state court system. The process can be complex, and the right lawyer will make your life much easier.
Since you have a business, your lawyer will help you determine what will happen to the company during the divorce. A prenuptial agreement will likely be the starting point for negotiations. Suppose you don’t have a prenuptial agreement. Your lawyer will help you determine how to divide the company fairly between you and your spouse.
The key is to get yourself a lawyer who has years of experience, has the license to practice in your state, and knows the ins and outs of divorce law. It helps to find a lawyer who has already represented another entrepreneur in a divorce case. This way, you can be sure that your lawyer is familiar with the challenges of untangling a business from a personal relationship.
Delegate Tasks to Trusted Employees
If you’re the business’s sole owner, you may not have anyone you can delegate tasks to. But if you have a partner or employees, delegate tasks to them while you go through the divorce. This will free up your time to focus on the divorce and care for yourself.
It’s crucial to delegate tasks to people you trust. You don’t want to worry about whether or not the business is in good hands while dealing with a divorce. So take some time to find employees or partners you can trust to run the business while you’re preoccupied with other things.
Don’t forget to check in periodically to ensure everything is running smoothly. Give them the best ways to contact you in case they need to reach you in case of a business emergency. This will give them peace of mind knowing they can still reach you if needed.
Take Time for Yourself
Divorce is a stressful time, both emotionally and mentally. So, take some time for yourself to clear your head and relax. This can be hard to do when you’re running a business, but it’s essential if you don’t want the stress of the divorce will start to affect your work.
You might not be able to take a lengthy vacation, but you can take some time each day to yourself. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, use that time to do something you enjoy. This could be reading, going for a walk, or listening to music. Whatever helps you relax and rejuvenate, do it.
You might also want to consider seeing a therapist. Talking to someone unbiased can be helpful when you’re going through a difficult time. A therapist can help you work through your emotions and develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress.
Going through a divorce is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your business. With the right lawyer and a good support system, you can get through it. And by taking some time for yourself, you can make sure that your business doesn’t suffer in the process.
