Running a Business with Your Ex after Divorce

Building an idea into a real, profit-making company takes time, dedication, and teamwork. It takes owners who understand each other and who complement each other’s skills and talents. Some couples that have such a relationship choose to go into business together, but what happens if the marriage falls apart?

In many cases, couples that are business partners end up deciding to dissolve their professional partnership either before or during the divorce. It’s an understandable choice; emotions tend to run high during divorce and this can make it extremely difficult to separate personal issues from professional ones. Still, some divorcing couples decide that running their business together is their best financial option.

Running a Business Post-Divorce

Even under the best of circumstances, working together post-divorce can be a challenge. If you decide to go this route, it’s important to give it a lot of thought and ask yourself some honest questions. Do you still trust your ex enough to continue sharing the business? How will you feel seeing him or her regularly? Will money issues end up being a point of contention, since you will no longer be bringing the profits into the same household?

Communication is essential for a successful business relationship, so seeing a counselor with your ex may help you sort out some of the issues you face as you go forward in your business and post-divorce relationship with your ex.

Like marriages, businesses can succeed or fail based on a number of factors; being respectful, making an effort to communicate, and developing an agreement for working conditions or what will happen if the post-divorce business relationship doesn’t work may help. Regardless of what you decide to do, it’s vital that you have good legal counsel during your divorce to help you explore all your options and make the best possible decisions for your future.