The great TV judge, Judge Judy, said, "Divorce insurance for women is an education and a skill." Well said, Judge Judy.

As a divorced mother and lawyer, I've often woken up grateful that I can provide for myself and my family. Some days were close calls. I suppose by going to law school, I bought Judge Judy's divorce insurance, but the payout was never a guarantee.

As far as I know, no one is writing divorce insurance, and if it did exist, if we could sell it, we don't know the demand for this divorce insurance product. If you listen to the news, one minute the news is that people are marrying older and smarter; marriage is for the rich. Another minute, the report is that divorce rates are up due to pandemic, quarantines, quarrels, etc.

I don't know exactly what the numbers are, but divorce happens. As long as there are marriages, there will be divorces. Once the divorce process starts, it's like a train (sometimes slow-moving). But I rarely see the divorce journey stopped, derailed or abandoned before it comes to an end.

Divorce means change. And it normally means change in finances. Assets will have to be divided, liabilities divided. Maybe you'll have to move, sell the house, change neighborhoods. Divorce typically means that you have less money coming into the home. Are you ready for that?

If you have divorced, or you know someone who has gone through the process, you know that the outcome is not guaranteed. Leave the outcome to the judges and they exercise this power called discretion.

What Is Divorce Insurance?

Sure, an education and skills are going to help you, whether you are a man or woman. But without a plan, without a focus as to what your life will look like after divorce, you are heading towards uncertainty. So many divorcing people get wrapped up in the process of the divorce or worse, live in the past upon divorcing.

To paraphrase from the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower: "In preparing for battle/litigation/mediation I've always found that plans are useless as they are never strictly followed, but planning is indispensable."

You should never go into a marriage without a plan and… never go into a divorce without a plan (or 2).

— Advocate, Advisor, Counselor, Marital and Family Lawyer · Suzette Hyde