In English writing class, students are taught to “know your audience” and structure their writing accordingly. While we have previously provided you with Grandma’s Divorce Tips based upon your grandmother’s tired idioms, the majority of first-time divorces are occurring in the Millennial generation.
As it turns out, some of your Millennial friend’s catchphrases can also come in handy when you are going through a divorce. Here are five divorce tips that you could have learned from your Millennial Friend:
- “Adulting.” If you are going through a divorce, it’s time to do some “adulting.” It is not unusual for each party in a marriage to take on different roles. Often, that means one party takes on the role of budgeting. Everyone filing for divorce in New Jersey must prepare a financial disclosure called a Case Information Statement, which discloses their income, a budget of joint lifestyle expenses, current lifestyle expenses, and a summary of their assets and liabilities to show the total financial circumstances. If budgeting is something you weren’t actively involved in before, be prepared for some financial “adulting” in divorce.
- “Clap Back.” In contested custody issues, the parties often dispute who should be the primary custodial parent. While the focus should always remain on the best interests of the child, which is the standard under New Jersey law, be prepared for a professional “clap back” or two if litigation ensues.
- “Glow Up.” Divorce can be stressful. While it may not be the time to make any new exorbitant expenditures, be sure to take care of yourself. If you want to focus on your physical health or even change your hair color, feel free to have a major “glow up” in divorce.
- “Receipts.” We live in a world of “receipts” or it didn’t happen. For Boomers who may be reading this – no, we are not talking about grocery receipts. Instead, we live in a world where text messages, social media posts, and audio and video recordings can all be used to attack the credibility of a litigant in divorce. Know how receipts can change your life, for better or for worse.
- “Shipping.” If you and your spouse have been separated for some time, and your friends are “shipping” you (i.e., hoping to see you in a romantic relationship) with the new neighbor, think twice. Check out our previous blog on whether you should “swipe right” in the midst of a divorce.
If you’re a Millennial who “can’t even” with your marriage, contact our experienced team of family law attorneys at Cohn Lifland today.