Divorcing couples and their advisers usually find plenty to argue about. But one topic that often slips through the net – with disastrous consequences – is the financial life after divorce.. the not-so-happy-ever-after.

Attorneys, tax and financial advisers and assorted other specialists drawn into the fray are rarely up to speed on any topic other than their own narrow specialty, and especially not on your spending patterns.

And therein lies the trap.

You’ve probably been advised to separate the emotional and financial aspects of the divorce process, and the advisers have no doubt zeroed in on how to split whatever assets you jointly possess. Enlightened advisers will also have ensured that you include ‘hidden’ assets such as pension plans and tax consequences.

But have any of them asked how you’re going to survive financially once the current arrangements end?

This is usually – but not exclusively – of most concern to the woman involved, because female rates of pay continue to trail those of males employed in equivalent jobs.

The simple fact is that two can live together cheaper than can two apart. Children and pets notwithstanding. So planning your post-divorce financial life is important.

One of the most important exercises for spouses is to analyze their individual spending. Lower-income-earning spouses face the biggest reduction in their standard of living post-divorce.

Due consideration, a budget, and frank discussion will help during the divorce to justify requests for alimony or child support, as well as with adjusting to a new [tag]financial life after divorce[/tag].

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