Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n On the hierarchy of horrible experiences, divorce is right up there, especially if you are the recipient of the bad news and were unaware of how unhappy your spouse was.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, divorce is a reality for approximately 50% of all first marriages, according to the American Psychological Association<\/a> — and the percentage of second and third marriages ending in divorce is even higher.<\/p>\n A divorce is not just the loss of a partner and maybe even a co-parent. It is the end of the hopes and dreams of building a loving relationship with someone you care deeply about. It is normal to feel depressed. Depression can manifest itself in a variety of ways, both physically and emotionally. Some people gain weight, while others lose weight. Some cannot can’t get out of bed, while others go to extremes by becoming dependent on drugs or alcohol. Depression, although understandable, can make a terrible situation even worse.<\/p>\n When I co-wrote the book He Said: She Said: A Practical Guide to Finance and Money During Divorce<\/i><\/a>, with my late husband, Herb Shapiro, he used to say, “Divorce is a death without a body.” Divorce is the death of a relationship and consequently a way of life.<\/p>\n With that in mind, here are 10 practical tips to get through this transition.<\/p>\n Written by Barbara Shapiro<\/a>, president of HMS Financial Group<\/a> in Dedham, Mass. She is a CFP\u00ae, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and a Financial Transitionist\u00ae. Her firm specializes in comprehensive financial planning with a subspecialty in divorce that assists clients’ transition from marriage to independence with peace of mind and confidence. <\/i><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/g\/images\/spaceball.gif\")
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