While divorce is difficult for everyone, the fairy tale of "happily ever after" can become an absolute nightmare if the couple co-own a business.
If you're an owner involved in a divorce, think ahead. Laying a legal foundation and staying calm can make a stressful situation, while never pleasant, less traumatic than it would otherwise have been if both parties start shooting from the hip. In this excellent article, Arkady Bukh offers six guidelines:
Handle the emotional fallout before emotions become the focus.
Discuss the future -- early.
Find attorneys who can empathize.
Opt for a 'collaborative' divorce.
Use mediation.
Employ multiple options.