A successful divorce marks the end of a marital union, and the beginning of a new life. This may be very disorienting for some women; after a divorce, there are many things for you to organize.

How To Cope

A divorce not only causes emotional pain, but also financial disorder. More often than not, the financial havoc that follows a divorce affects the wife greater than it does the husband. According to a report, a woman generally experiences a 45% decrease in her standard of living after going through a divorce. On the other hand, a man generally experiences a 15% increase in his standard of living.

Despite the gloomy statistics, it is best to just look forward, and rebuild your life as best as you can. One of the most important things that you have to quickly put in order is your finances. This is even more crucial if you get custody of your children.To get your financial life in order, you must take specific actions as soon as you are able to.

Be Aware Of What You Have And What You Need

The first step forgetting up to speed on your money matters is making a financial inventory. After the divorce, find out what you have and what you owe. This is about setting your own financial landscape. During your marriage, you and your husband probably made a long-term financial plan for your family. After the divorce, you must come up with your own plan. In order to do this, you must first update your financial information.

Determine what assets you have; these include cash, stocks, properties and even antiques. After that, determine your financial objectives. These may include saving for the education of your children, and saving for your retirement. Once you have painted a complete picture of your finances, it will be easier for you to make important financial decisions.

Make A Budget

When making your budget, remember to let your income drive your expenses. Unfortunately, this may be easier said than done; after the divorce, your income may significantly decrease. The key here is to avoid spending beyond your means. Keep in mind your financial objectives, and focus on what you really need and not just on what you want.

Base your budget on your new goals, and not on your former lifestyle. Take into consideration any settlement payout that you will receive, and your living expenses. Moreover, when making your financial plan, consider starting an emergency fund and a retirement fund.

Seek Professional Support

If you need help, do not be scared to get support from a financial advisor. If you do not know something, ask. It is easy for other people to take advantage of you if you do not know much about finances.

With the help of a good financial advisor, you may be able to quickly put your financial life in order. Before hiring anyone, talk to several financial firms. Choose the advisor that you are most comfortable with, and do not forget to check references.

Take It Slow

In some cases, emotional pain may hinder logical reasoning right after a divorce. As such, some financial consultants advise against making decisions that may increase financial risks a few months after the ordeal.