Divorce and work – what should you know?

Jeffery M. Leving
November 1, 2023

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You and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse told your family and close friends about your divorce, and you discovered the most favorable way to break the news to your children. Have you thought about what you should say to your employer? Whom should you tell about your marital split, and how can you restructure your career to accommodate your life as a newly single person.

Let your boss know

One of the few people at the office with whom you may need to share the news of your divorce is your boss. You may have meetings with your legal representative to discuss maintenance, formerly known as alimony, or how to divide the marital home, which could require taking off early or other adjustments to your schedule. Because divorce often takes an emotional and psychological toll, your work performance may suffer in the coming days, weeks and months – but hopefully only for a short time. Letting your boss know about the recent change in your life may garner understanding and leeway, which may help you retain your position.

Think twice about drastic shifts

You may experience daily emotional and mental shifts because of your divorce, but hold back on making a sudden career change, unless it’s advisable. Now may not be the most opportune time to quit your job or move to a lower-paying position. You do not want to jeopardize your career or financial health.

Communicate with HR

Filing for divorce may mean changing how you file your taxes, tweaking your insurance policy and restructuring your retirement account. For all three, meet with one of your company’s human resources representatives to determine what paperwork you must complete and file – but first, talk to your lawyer. You and your ex-spouse may not mind keeping each other on your shared health insurance plans for a little while as you transition, but the two of you may need to have a frank conversation about that before long. Otherwise, ask your lawyer for recommendations on selecting the right plan that fits your new life as a single person.

Review your income

Maybe you relied on your spouse’s income for your financial health. If so, determine how to work for a promotion or go back to school to earn a degree or certificate to advance in your field. Even if your former spouse is ordered to pay maintenance or child support, you may not receive those payments indefinitely.

Do you have a framework for navigating and surviving divorce? Speak with us to protect your position and income while finalizing your marital split. At The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving^®, Ltd., in Chicago, we represent spouses, ex-spouses, partners and ex-partners in complex matters involving divorce, children, custody and parenting time in Illinois and nationally.

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   junior salazar 
 18 days ago
 
 
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   Wayne Sivels 
 18 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent services provided by my Atty's at Jeffrey Leving Ltd.  I cannot thank Atty's Anthony D' Agostino and Arthur Kallow of the law offices of Jeffery Leving for saving me from an unjust situation. The State claimed I owed child support for a child who became an adult decades ago. I was facing an absolute nightmare. They suspended my driver's license and put a lien on property that I didn't even own. It was a terrible ordeal that took a  massive toll on my finances and health. Anthony and Art stepped in and fought with true passion on my behalf. Thanks to their tireless efforts and willingness to go to great lengths for justice,the claimed arrearages were completely zeroed out. They literally saved me from this continuing nightmare and gave me back my life. I highly recommend D'Agostino and Kallow and the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving to anyone who needs aggressive, brilliant representation. They are worth every penny.
  
 
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   Grace S 
 19 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Michael Ochoa is an excellent Attorney at Law.
He is a true professional, compassionate and always took the time to explain things clearly.
My divorce case was exceptionally complicated due to my
ex-husband's mental illness.
I am incredibly grateful to the Law Offices of
Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd especially to Michael Ochoa for his help and support during one of the most difficult times in my life.
I highly recommend Michael Ochoa to anyone going through a divorce.
  
 
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   Aliyah Shields 
 19 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Michael Ochoa of Jeffery M. Levine has done and continues doing a great job on my child custody case. He works hard in detail and great with communication. Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Lilia Malacina 
 19 days ago
 
 
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   Kaleb Wright 
 39 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I met Anthony D’Agostino today at Law Office Of Jeffery Leving for a consultation and he’s an amazing attorney passionately helping fathers obtain custody and exceptional time with their kids. Anthony is a father himself so; he understands about life situations when it comes down to father’s rights. Us real fathers in the world deserve the same as mothers we don’t get that much praise but Anthony D’Agostino is the attorney to make a difference for fathers and your voice will be heard.

Kaleb W.
  
 
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 54 days ago
 
 
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 59 days ago
 
 
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   Marcin Kopiczko 
 74 days ago
 
 
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Thank you Mr. James and his team
  
 
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   Kareem Henry 
 82 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I hired the Law Offices of Jeffrey M. Leaving and the whole staff was great. My Attorney Michael Salamun was awesome, he was very knowledgeable and took time with me to break down and the legal terms so that I was aware of what was going on. In my child support case he saved me thousands with his fight and knowledge.