Do Doctors Have Unique Divorce Needs?

Becoming a physician requires a great deal of focus and dedication. Those requirements begin in medical school and extend throughout a doctor’s career. While research suggests that doctors are among the least likely medical workers to divorce, a career in the medical field does place demands on one’s family life. Some Pennsylvania doctors will face divorce, and many are unsure how to move forward in ending their marriage.

It is a common mistake to assume that every divorce must be a contentious affair, or that divorcing spouses must be at odds with one another. In reality, spouses have a wide range of options in how to move through a divorce, including mediation. Taking a more collaborative approach can make a world of difference in a divorce case.

Mediation does not require foregoing legal advice. Spouses can still retain their own attorneys, but the primary focus is on resolving issues outside of a court of law, not on fighting matters out in front of a judge. Both sides can consult with their attorneys on any and all legal matters, while working together to reach a resolution that works for both sides.

Aside from preserving more marital wealth to be divided between spouses, mediation has another benefit for spouses who work as physicians. A medical career requires a significant volume of time, effort and attention. By resolving one’s divorce in an amicable and collaborative manner, Pennsylvania physicians can focus on work and not on fighting a divorce battle that has an uncertain outcome.

Source: hcplive.com, “Doctors Considering Divorce Have Options“, Greg Kelly, Dec. 16, 2015