Stacey Slager, after her marriage ended, was advised by a coworker to create a divorce registry to receive gifts from friends and family to help her rebuild her life. Unlike her wedding registry, which was unnecessary due to her and her ex-husband already having their own household items, the divorce registry was essential as they were separating shared belongings. Slager, who had been living in the U.S. for over ten years, decided to move back to Vancouver Island post-divorce, requiring a new place to live and a job. She shared a Google document with her acquaintances, asking for assistance, and managed to acquire most of the listed items through hand-me-downs. Despite a decrease in divorce rates in Canada, the financial implications can be substantial, with legal fees ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, particularly in complex cases. This, coupled with the rising cost of living and housing challenges, makes it financially burdensome for many individuals to start anew on their own.
Following her divorce, Slager received support from friends who not only fulfilled the listed items but also provided additional gifts, including furniture, estimating the total value of assistance received at around $15,000. While she devised her own registry, there are companies that specialize in divorce registries, which, although met with some skepticism, aim to aid individuals through a significant life transition rather than celebrating the divorce itself. Olivia Howell, co-founder of Fresh Starts, a divorce registry in New York, emphasizes the importance of supporting individuals through such life changes, offering practical items to help them adjust to their new circumstances.
Howell’s personal experience after her divorce inspired her to establish Fresh Starts, which offers various item bundles based on budgets and room-specific packages, along with connecting clients to experts in legal, financial, and emotional support services. In addition, privacy measures are in place to safeguard individuals, especially those in abusive situations. The company also assists individuals facing other life events, such as job loss. The emotional and financial complexities of divorce, even in uncontested cases, are significant, requiring careful consideration and planning to navigate through the process successfully.
Eva Sachs, a divorce financial specialist from Toronto, acknowledges the challenges individuals face during divorces, particularly in disentangling complex financial relationships. While divorce registries may not be widely known, they offer an innovative approach to providing practical support during a difficult period. Howell emphasizes that Fresh Starts serves both women and men undergoing divorces, with many men facing similar challenges to women but often hesitant to seek help due to societal expectations. By normalizing the concept of divorce support and providing practical assistance, Fresh Starts aims to help individuals through this challenging life transition.
Overall, divorce registries play a role in providing tangible and emotional support to individuals navigating the complexities of divorce, offering a sense of community and assistance as they rebuild their lives post-separation.
