Divorce is a stressful and emotionally trying time for any couple, but it can have added layers of complexity if one or both of the spouses owns a business. If spouses are not aware of these extra wrinkles heading into the process, then they can make for an unfortunate surprise when going through divorce. A recent case involving the divorce of an Oklahoma oil and gas magnate highlights some of these issues.

First, there is the issue of valuing a company for the purposes of division. This will require experts to come in and testify as to the company's worth, and may require expensive financial analysis. The second major issue that business owners face is the loss of control of their company in a divorce. If they are forced to cede equity to their former spouse, or if they are forced to sell their equity interests because they need the cash, they may find themselves without a controlling stake in the company.

Valuing the Company

A legal proceeding like divorce is a team effort. It requires lawyers, paralegals, clerks, and legal secretaries to work together to all help reach the best outcome, and one of the key members of the legal team is the client themselves. Naturally, this can be a bit of a difficult adjustment for the client, since data from the United States Census indicates that the overwhelming majority of people going through divorce have never done it before.

Fortunately, this post highlights a few strategies that people can use to be more effective divorce clients like staying organized, taking an active role in the process, and keeping a level head. Divorce clients using these strategies can streamline and speed up the divorce process, which often means keeping their legal fees lower.

Stay Organized 

A recent spate of cases involving courts citing businesses for the unlicensed practice of law highlights the importance of using a licensed attorney during the divorce process. A recent case on this issue comes from the Ohio Supreme Court, but it is a problem that can occur just as easily in any other state.

State governments closely monitor the people who practice law to ensure that they have the training to competently represent others in court. Those who are not properly licensed and trained can end up making mistakes that cost their clients. That is exactly what happened in the Ohio case that ended up with the company making a mistake that left their client's divorce papers useless. Consequently, it is important for discerning people seeking a divorce to ensure that they use a properly licensed attorney if they want counsel during the process.

Fast Divorce Companies

According to divorce attorneys, the end of summer is a common time to start thinking about filing for a divorce. However, summer’s end is also a time for parents who have recently finalized a divorce to think about how it affects their children going off to school. Many parents choose to go through the meat of the divorce process during the summer, so that kids have time to adjust without also needing to deal with schoolwork. However, now that they are returning to their normal routine, parents need to be aware of what information the school needs, and they need to watch out for signs that their children may not be adjusting well now that they are back in school.

Information the School Needs

The divorce decree is going to generate a large amount of information and legal requirements, and children’s schools are going to need to be informed about some of those changes. For instance, schools are liable for the well-being of their students, so it is important to inform the school about which parent has custody, and which parent is allowed to pick up the kids. This is especially important in situations involving abuse, where there may be an order of protection in place. Similarly, parents should also inform schools about which parents have a right to request information about the children and who may attend parent teacher conferences, since non-custodial parents may still retain these rights.

Divorce can be a difficult process that affects many different parts of a person's life. The added stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways, such as adverse health effects if people going through a divorce are not careful. One study from the University of Arizona found that people in the midst of a divorce are prone to poor sleep, which may cause high blood pressure. Other experts have also noted other possible health issues, largely stemming from people's failure to take care of their bodies during the stressful event. This means that divorcing spouses need to be extra careful to maintain their healthy eating habits and ensure that they get regular exercise.

Physical Health Effects

People undergoing a divorce can experience a wide array of potential health problems. The University of Arizona study analyzed over a hundred people several months after their divorce. The study found that sleep disruptions in the time immediately following the divorce were normal, but if they persisted, the disruptions correlated with high blood pressure. This means that divorcees who still experience sleep issues several months after the divorce may want to consult a physician.