Going through a divorce is tough enough as an individual, but when you’re a business owner, a divorce can be even tougher. As a business owner going through a divorce, you have to not only deal with all of the emotional and financial hurdles, but you also have to ensure that your company continues to operate smoothly. This can be a challenge to even the strongest of people, and some even end up losing their businesses as a result. If you’re a business owner facing a divorce, here are a few tips to help you keep your business thriving during the process:
1. Delegate Authority
While you’re in the process of a divorce, it may be necessary for you to be away from your business to handle legal proceedings and other divorce-related events. During these times, you may find yourself gone for days or even weeks at a time. Of course, you may also wish to take some personal time off from your business in order to fully process your emotions. While you’re away, it would be a good idea to delegate responsibility to a business partner or employee. This person can then handle your part of the business when you can’t be there, allowing your company to stay up and running while you handle your personal business.
2. Partner with a Lawyer
For example if you are living in Florida, you should seek out the services of an Orlando divorce lawyer. Orlando divorce lawyers can offer you sound legal advice regarding the protection of your business during a divorce, and they can often offer their experience and expertise in the courtroom. Divorce proceedings can be difficult to navigate if you have no formal legal training, and this can lead to you receiving an unfair divorce settlement. With a divorce lawyer on your side, you may have an easier time with courtroom representation, as well as with protecting your finances.
3. Speak with a Business Coach
A business coach is an individual who specializes in offering advice to business owners, and this means that a business coach may be able to give you professional guidance for keeping your company afloat during the divorce process. Some business coaches may have experience in dealing with divorce directly, and these individuals can often give firsthand advice on what to do and what not to do to make the process run smoothly.
4. Seek Counseling
One of the best ways to keep your personal and professional lives separate is to seek counseling. While some people choose to speak with a professional counselor or psychologist, others choose to simply speak with family and friends. Counseling from others is a great way for you to deal with any strong emotions you may be feeling due to your divorce, and it’s also a great way to relieve stress and become more introspective.
Regardless of what tactics you use, remember that your divorce is a personal journey for you. While it may seem tough to balance your work and personal lives, you need to always weigh the benefits of acting out of emotion against acting professionally. By partnering with professionals and by seeking counsel from friends and family members, you’ll soon find that your divorce does not have to get in the way of running a successful business.
Molly Henshaw is a small business owner living in the DC metro area. She is also a part-time contributing author for the Orlando based divorce team of Katz & Phillips. It is vital to have an objective professional to help you with division of assets during your divorce.