Divorce coaches are the new must-have for married couples looking to split up — and they’re charging up to $300 an hour

Couples who are on the brink of divorce are shelling out hundreds of dollars per hour to pay for — not therapy — but a divorce coach. Nowadays, 40-50% of people’s first marriages end in

splitsville, as reported by the New York Times. And to make things even more real — reportedly every 42 seconds, a US couple ends their marriage, according to the Hustle. While divorce is

more normalized these days, there’s no denying that it’s oftentimes a messy, painful process. So to help these unhappy couples navigate closing this chapter in their lives, people are hiring

divorce coaches — and they’re not afraid to pay a pretty penny for them. Rene Garcia is a men’s divorce and recovery coach based in Miami and Los Angeles. EXPLORE MORE He’s been through a

divorce himself, making him an ideal person to provide guidance and support while distressed people are trying to stay afloat during a rather difficult time in their lives. According to the

Hustle, some of the services these coaches provide are helping “clients parse out emotional reactions” from information in their legal cases, working with attorneys “to provide extra support

and helping strategize a plan for post-divorce life. Garcia takes things a step further by helping divorcees with their well-being and eventually their dating lives. He also offers

individual coaching sessions and is on-call for 24-hour urgent assistance, according to the New York Times. And of course, these services come with a hefty price. Garcia’s rates start at

$1,600 while other coaches charge between $50 and $300 per hour, the outlet reported. And if couples want to do whatever they can to avoid becoming a statistic, they need to steer clear of

making a few common mistakes in their marriage. “Marriage can be a beautiful thing, but it requires work and intention in addition to love,” divorce lawyer Padideh Jafari, founder and CEO of

Jafari Law & Mediation Office, told Business Insider. She said couples must never prioritize their job or kids over each other. “Of course, you love your children and need to look after

their physical and emotional needs, but don’t forget your spouse.” A date night or a trip without the kids can do wonders for a married duo. Falling into the social media trap is another

no-no if people want a healthy marriage. “From reconnecting with old flames to secret messages, social media is fueling modern divorces,” Jafari said. Having good communication in a

relationship is always key — but unfortunately, many marriages lack it. Jafari strongly encourages people to “try to pause and be present in conversations” and never make assumptions about

what the other person is saying.