Protecting Your Business During Divorce: Essential Tips
Divorce is tough—there’s no sugarcoating it. But when you’re a business owner, the challenges can multiply. Suddenly, you’re trying to juggle legal battles, emotional turmoil, and the demands of running a company. It’s enough to leave anyone feeling overwhelmed.
Here’s the thing, though: your business doesn’t have to be another casualty of divorce. Nope. With a little planning and focus, you can protect what you’ve built and keep your life moving forward. Let’s dive into some strategies to help you get through this without losing your business—or your sanity.
Your Business Matters in a Divorce
Take a moment to think about what your business means to you. It’s not just a paycheck, right? It’s the years of hard work, late nights, and sacrifices you’ve made to build something meaningful. When life gets messy, it’s easy to lose sight of that. But keeping your business strong during a divorce starts with recognizing its value.
Treat your business like a relationship. If you ignored a loved one for weeks or months, things would fall apart. Your business is no different—it needs your attention, even in tough times. And if you’re thinking about remarriage after your divorce, a prenuptial agreement can be a game-changer. It’s a smart way to protect your business from future complications.
Block Out Time to Reduce Stress
When you’re going through a divorce, it can feel like it’s taking over your entire life. But here’s a tip: it doesn’t have to. One of the best ways to stay on top of things is to compartmentalize your time.
Start by scheduling blocks of time for different parts of your life. Maybe you focus on work during the day, dedicate evenings to your kids, and carve out a specific time each week to deal with divorce-related tasks. Write it all down in a calendar or planner and stick to it.
This approach keeps the divorce from bleeding into every aspect of your life. Plus, it helps you be more present—whether you’re in a meeting, at home, or preparing for mediation. It’s not easy at first, but with practice, you’ll find it makes a world of difference.
Build a Divorce Plan for You and Your Business
Divorce can feel chaotic, but having a plan brings some much-needed structure. Sit down with your attorney or mediator and map out a clear timeline for your case. What needs to happen, and when? This roadmap will help you stay organized and keep unwanted surprises away.
A plan also makes it easier to prepare your business. If you know there’s a big court date coming up, you can delegate tasks or reschedule projects to avoid extra stress. Think of it like any other challenge in your business: the better the preparation, the smoother things go. And that’s a win.
Create an Inner Circle to Safeguard Your Sanity
Hey, no one gets through a divorce alone. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and help you make good decisions. That circle might include a great attorney, a skilled mediator, and maybe even a therapist who can help you deal with the emotional side of things.
But be selective about who you let into your inner circle. You need people who are positive, solution-oriented, and genuinely have your back. Avoid the folks who dwell on drama or just want to fuel your anger—they’re not helping you move forward.
This is your time to lean on people who empower you and keep you focused on what matters most.
Keep Moving Forward
Divorce is never easy, but it doesn’t have to send your business down the drain. Stay clear with your priorities, manage your time, and keep the right people close.
And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. For more tips and strategies on handling divorce with intelligence and empathy, tune in to The Splitting Smart Podcast. It’s packed with advice to help you tackle tough family conflicts without losing sight of what’s important. Or reach out to our amazing team at Sapere Law for help. We’ve got your back!
An active trial attorney and mediator for over 32 years, guiding people through adversity has been at the core of Kelly Bennett’s career. Since 1990, Kelly has worked as a trial and business lawyer. She’s a Founding Partner and the Managing Attorney of Sapere Law in Temecula, California.