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Addiction and Divorce
Most married couples will tell you that the relationship is fraught with hurdles and tough decisions. When outside influences weigh on the relationship it can have a negative impact on the union. An addiction can be most damaging, even to the point of resulting in an annulment or divorce.
Addiction and Marriage Is Not a Great Pairing
The horror stories of those who were married to an addict, in addition to the experiences of those who fought their addiction, should be enough to scare most individuals. However, the reality is that addictions impact thousands of marriages every year and, even heroic efforts at recovery and reconciliation by both parties many times are not enough to save a marriage.- Whether drugs, alcohol, gambling or some other vice, an addiction is usually accompanied by such behaviors as lying, cheating, and stealing; behaviors not conducive to a healthy marriage.
Stages of Recovery after Divorce
Although most studies show that divorces occur most frequently during the first 10 years of a marriage, even couples who were married 25 years and longer may still find their relationship ending while seated across the table from one another in a lawyer’s office. Regardless of the circumstances, recovering from a divorce often requires time and understanding.
Recovering from a Divorce Is a Process
The emotional attachment to one’s spouse is a strong thing, and not easily dismissed. It is not surprising that those who go through a divorce may experience a period similar to that of grieving the loss of a loved one during the months after a divorce is final.Denial
This typically occurs in the person who did not initiate the divorce. They do not want to believe that the person they love no longer wants to spend the rest of their life with them. A person in denial may harbor hopes for reconciliation, even when it is clear the marriage is over.
Signs Your Spouse May Be Cheating
Perhaps if there were a way to know for sure your spouse-to-be would end up cheating, the incident of divorces caused by infidelity would decrease dramatically. While no one can know for sure who will and will not cheat, some believe there are traits and characteristics common among those who stray from their spouse.
Consider Certain Personality Traits
While there is no such thing as a crystal ball to help determine the future of your marriage, perhaps there are some things about potential suitors you should consider before jumping into something long term. Provided below is a list and brief description of some characteristics that should send up a red flag or, at the very least, give you cause to pause before saying, “I do.”- Narcissism, or an unnatural attraction to one’s own body, typically signals that a person is more concerned with their own needs and wants than those of others. They care about fulfilling their own desires and have little concern for the well-being of those around them.
Who Gets the Pets in Divorce?
As a couple goes through divorce negotiations and subsequent court proceedings many decisions are made as to who gets what, and how much they get. These decisions involve the house, children, savings and investments and other marital assets. Another decision that often results in much emotion is resolving the eventual resident of the family pet.
New Law Now in Effect
Previously, pets were treated as furniture or other inanimate possessions in divorce negotiations over marital property division. However, as of the start of 2018 in Illinois, a new law now gives a judge the right to determine if one spouse would be a better pet owner than the other. The individual who takes on more of the responsibility for pet care during the marriage now has a better chance of retaining ownership after the divorce. Things to consider include:- Who purchases the pet food and other care items.
Fighting Financial Threats during a Divorce
Even if a person has spent hours considering their various options and weighing its impact on their future, the decision to divorce can still elicit heightened emotions of fear. Unfortunately, it happens that some spouses may attempt to influence how the other proceeds with the divorce by issuing threats that play upon those fears.
Responding to Threats
It is not unusual to want your divorce to end in a way that is mutually agreeable. It is even acceptable to think the final settlement should favor you if the marriage included some egregious acts by your spouse. However, when threats are issued it is important to respond in an appropriate and legally measured manner. Doing otherwise can result in negative repercussion and even severe sanctions. However, in most cases, the threats can be best categorized as empty bluster.
Careers That Have Highest Divorce Rates
It is probably a safe bet to say that everyone who marries thinks that union will last forever. Why else would they bother? However, divorce is a fact of life, and there are a number of factors that play a part in the erosion and eventual dissolution of a marriage. Stress on a marriage comes from many sources, and a person’s job is among them.
Are You Working Toward a Divorce?
It has become known that workers in some industries experience divorce at higher rates than those in others. Whether it is the long hours, required travel or stress of the job that carries over to the homelife, the career someone chooses could impact the length of their marriage. Here’s a partial list of those lines of work that tend to experience higher than normal divorce rates.
The duties and responsibilities of first-line enlisted military supervisors place an unusual strain on a marriage. The added stress of deployment often adds to the unusually high rate of divorce among those in these roles.
Considering Divorce? Proceed with Care
Just as the decision to get married is not always easy, the decision to divorce can be even more difficult. After all, the marriage was supposed to last forever. Therefore, before making a final decision to retain a lawyer and file for divorce it is important to consider all the consequences that may result.
Things to Consider
When one partner begins mulling exit strategies it can place added strain on the relationship, even without knowing it is happening. Before proceeding with a divorce take time to review some very important elements of the marriage and the divorce process- Is a trial separation in order? Perhaps there is a way to rebuild the relationship while living apart, but still maintaining contact to work on your issues
- What were your expectations of marriage? Were they realistic? Perhaps by walking back some of these, you can save the relationship.
What Happens to a Family Business When the Owners Divorce?
The division of marital property can be a long and contentious process, as both parties attempt to secure the value of joint assets and obtain full or majority ownership of the property. This can be particularly when a married couple owns a business together, and that business becomes part of the divorce negotiations.
Keeping the Doors Open
It is not uncommon for a small, family business to close its doors forever as a result of a divorce. In addition to the stress and resentment this causes, a business closing also negatively impacts the employees who lose their jobs and even the community that relies on its services. Here are few tips to consider when taking steps to protect your business prior to or during a divorce.- Keep accurate financial records, and do not allow business finances to mix with family finances.
Mistakes Married Couples Make
There is an old saying that goes something like, “everybody makes mistakes.” Often it is how someone deals with and bounces back from their mistakes that helps them move forward in life. The same can be said for the mistakes married couples make, and whether or not those mistakes can be overcome or result in divorce.
No Marriage Is without Its Challenges
After the ceremony and celebration have ended, and all that remains of the honeymoon are the pictures and videos, it’s time to get back to real life. However, missteps are bound to take place. Here is a list of some of the mistakes married couples make that, if go unresolved, could play a role in the end of a marriage.- Sometimes one spouse starts to take the other for granted because they feel so comfortable in their relationship. Failing to show appreciation for one’s spouse, and the things they bring to the marriage can create tension and hard feelings.
Dividing Property as Part of Your Divorce
When a married couple decides to divorce everything they have obtained, amassed and created together suddenly becomes a desired possession by one party or the other, but very frequently property and assets are sought by both adults. The matter of property division is one that tends to increase the level of stress and cause prolonged court battles.
Understanding the Process
Along with the help of a knowledgeable divorce attorney with experience in matters of property division, it may be helpful to have a basic understanding of the guidelines Illinois judges refer to when faced with these matters. Consider the following information as a reference.- It happened that a couple owned two season tickets for the home games of a local professional sports team, but neither enjoyed the thought of continuing to attend games with the other once divorced. The wife even went so far as to file an emergency petition to obtain custody of the tickets. Eventually, the judge awarded the tickets to the husband but ordered him to purchase equal value seats for the wife.
Ready to Get Started?
To schedule a free consultation with Aurora divorce attorney, Matthew M. Williams, call 630-409-8184 or fill out the form below.
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