That figure includes both direct costs such as divorce court expenses and moving to a new residence and the indirect costs to government agencies that provide services to children of divorce. Although certain business professionals such as real estate agents, divorce attorneys and mediators benefit from a high community divorce rate, most businesses do not. Those divorce professionals are much needed at the time of divorce to help couples sift through the financial and legal complexities of dividing up the assets and liabilities in fair and creative ways. Many divorces, however, are unnecessary, costly and could be prevented. When divorce strikes business people personally it takes a financial as well as an emotional toll.
Divorce wreaks havoc for the spousal business.
For example, Mrs. Fields almost lost her cookies when she and Mr. Fields divided up the company assets. Stress researchers have found that when too many essential elements of your life change in too short a time period, your health is at risk for a major illness in the year following the changes. As a business owner or manager who employs others, you are also at risk for financial losses directly or indirectly when your employees divorce. Direct costs could include a previously trustworthy employee stealing from you to meet mounting expenses. Indirect costs often come from increased absenteeism and lower productivity during and after the divorce.