The Liability Side of Divorce

When we go through a major life change—like a divorce—we’re suddenly pushed to confront things we may have been able to ignore for years. As a couple or a family unit, responsibilities and liabilities often blend together. We create systems, debts, and commitments as a team, even if we never felt fully comfortable addressing them at the time.

But once the relationship ends, everything becomes visible and personal. What was once ours becomes mine, and liabilities that felt manageable together can suddenly feel much heavier when you’re facing them alone.

This stage can feel overwhelming, but it’s also the beginning of clarity.

Getting a grip on your liabilities early is one of the most empowering steps you can take. It reduces the shock later on and gives you the information you need to make confident decisions about your next chapter. From understanding what you owe, to identifying shared debts, to untangling financial responsibilities—it all forms part of rebuilding a stable foundation.

And while it may feel difficult at first, facing things now is always easier than facing them later.

A Few Key Steps to Start Taking Back Control

• List everything you owe — all personal and joint debts, even the uncomfortable ones.

• Separate joint from individual liabilities so you can see clearly what is truly yours.

• Prioritise what needs attention first, especially anything that affects your credit or daily life.

• Get updated balances and statements, so you’re working with facts rather than fear.

• Reach out early to providers or lenders—many are more flexible than people expect.

  
  

If this feels overwhelming… you don’t have to do it alone

In a session, we work through all of this step-by-step using a Liability Reset Workbook designed to bring clarity, structure, and a sense of calm to a messy and emotional part of divorce.Together, we make the process feel manageable — and you walk away knowing exactly where you stand and what to do next.