The divorce financial statement.
All I can say is ‘argh’ since it’s highly inappropriate for me to post the real four-letter word I want to attribute to this process. What a pain. I find the whole thing ironic and hilarious. A good majority of divorces end over money issues- the stress of not having enough or someone misspending or the other keeping strict judmental tabs. Resentments build over the partner working part-time or anxiety prevents joyful vacations and fun social activities. Great marriages can implode over money.
So what’s the first thing you have to do when you’re getting divorced? Create a financial statement of what you earn and spend, then share it with the other person. As if it’s any of their damn business anymore.
I’ve been kicking my feet over this. My divorce is a somewhat amicable situation and I’m thrifty (not to be confused with cheap or stringent), but I still resent having to explain exactly where child support goes or how much I’m making…especially when my ex spends extravagantly on himself or offers inconsistent unreliable help with child care. I worry he’ll critique my spending habits or comment how I’m not living up to my earning potential. But mostly, I don’t want to share my life with this man anymore, and giving him this form feels like an invasion of my newly found privacy.
Regardless of my feelings though, I have to do it. It will get filled out and sent in, because bottom line is…it must get done. And just like everything else that I’ve had to deal with since he’s left, I’ll muddle through it with a smile (and saying those four letter words the whole time).
