How to tell your friends and family you’re getting divorced

Originally published on 28th September 2018 at 10:20 AM
Last reviewed date 19th February 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reading time: 3 mins

Telling friends and family you’re getting divorced is a frightening prospect for most people. Being worried about people’s reactions is completely normal and totally understandable. Being prepared for tricky questions and negative reactions can make it much easier.

One of the best ways to be prepared is by having a reference to go back to such as the ‘Friends and family guide’ which you can download for free below:

Download the friends and family guide

People breaking up commonly feel a sense of shame, as if they have failed. It's one of the most difficult experiences we can go through, a type of bereavement, and what you need most is kindness and support.

When it comes to breaking the news, the most important people, because they are the most affected, are the children. It's vital that they hear it from you, and ideally before anyone else. Read our blog on telling the kids if you'd like some support on this.

How to tell family about divorce, as well as your (mutual) friends

The next stage is family, then friends. If you and your ex can decide together who will tell which friends and family members, and if you can agree on what you're going to say, it will help enormously.

You need to be aware that people have an unfortunate habit of saying inappropriate things, and often focus on how your breakup affects them or your children. Classic remarks such as 'Have you really thought about it?' or 'But what about the children?' are not uncommon. The best way to manage this is to be prepared. Be prepared to point out to them that your children are always your first consideration, and that what you need from them is to be supported, not undermined or judged.

Don't agonise over other people's reactions

You can never predict how people will behave, especially when you’re telling family about divorce. You can feel let down by people you thought would understand, and surprised by those you thought would understand.

Remember that you can't control how other people behave. You have your own emotions to deal with and you don't need to take on their issues. People who react badly often do so because the thought of divorce frightens them, especially if they themselves are going through a difficult patch in their own relationship.

Be prepared for gossip, and be careful who you confide in

You may also find that some people feel embarrassed and don't want to know too much, whilst others seem to relish the details. Be prepared for gossip, and be careful who you confide in. If you feel that someone is pushing for too much information, you can politely tell them that you don't feel ready to talk at the moment. A good friend is one who's there to listen but doesn't pry.

Hold your head high

Finally, remember that you have nothing to feel embarrassed about. You have made a very difficult and brave decision that others may be too afraid to make. Hold your head high and don't ever feel you have to apologise.

FAQs

How do you tell mutual friends about divorce when you’ve just separated?

When you’re in a long-term relationship or marriage, it isn’t uncommon that your individual friendship groups merge to become one big one centred around your relationship with each other. Telling them about it is a crucial step in making sure that your mutual friends react in the best possible way and preventing the loss of friendship for either of you.

How do you tell your friends and family you're getting a divorce?

If you and your ex can decide together who will tell which friends and family members, and if you can agree on what you're going to say, it will help astronomically.

Should I tell my friends I'm getting a divorce?

Telling friends and especially your family about your divorce or separation can be a scary concept, especially when you’re coming out of a marriage or relationship that has lasted a long time and the last thing you want is to be pried, poked and quizzed about the specific details, or even the big questions/statements like “But I thought you two were so good together!” or “Are you really sure?”

Rebecca Jones

Rebecca has a background in family law and has also been through her own divorce. Rebecca is fantastic at offering pragmatic advice and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to the legalities around divorce and separation.