Assuming that your soon-to-be ex doesn’t feel so guilty about their behavior that they hand you their share of the family home and everything in it, you’re going to need to buy a few things as you settle in to your post-married life.
Maybe you need to fill in some empty spaces on the walls where your spouse’s diplomas framed photos hung. Perhaps you need a few new kitchen gadgets or pieces of fitness equipment to replace the ones they took. If you’re moving to another place, you may need an entire set of furniture and other decor for your child’s room. That’s where divorce registries come in. Sellers from Amazon to Target let people set up a registry for any purpose – including divorce.
Some websites are dedicated to the needs of those who are divorcing
There are also websites that offer registries geared specifically toward those who are divorcing. The Divorcist site lets you request practical items as well as favors (like dog walking, help moving, babysitting, painting, etc.) or even contributions to a cash fund in case you need some more liquid assets. If you don’t need anything, there are more frivolous items like t-shirts and tote bags to broadcast your new status. Fresh Starts lets you choose from various room “bundles” to help you furnish a child’s room, home office, kitchen, bathroom and more.
A divorce registry also gives you a place to direct people who ask what they can do to help. If you’re announcing your divorce on social media, via email or a group text, you can subtly include a link to your registry without even mentioning it.
Registries aren’t a replacement for a solid property division settlement
To be clear: These registries are meant to help people “restock.” They are not a substitution for the benefits of a fairly-valued property division settlement. In fact, by knowing you can count on your friends and family to help with the relatively minor things, you can spend more of your time and energy working towards getting the things that will help you start your newly single life on solid financial footing — like a fair share of your spouse’s 401(k) — rather than fighting them over the deluxe espresso maker or the most comfortable desk chair.