Do you suspect that your spouse is cheating on you? Are you frustrated that they don't treat you with respect? Or maybe the two of you have just grown apart? The reasons that people consider divorce can be quite varied, but the end result is the same: a marriage legally ends.
No one gets married with the intention of divorcing later in life. Unfortunately, people change and situations occur that can make staying married seem next to impossible. However, as you contemplate filing for divorce, there are a few things you should do first.
- Try to figure out if you can make the marriage work. If you want to end the marriage because things have gotten tough, but you haven't tried counseling or working things out with your spouse, step back for a minute and decide if there's anything else you can do. Divorce is a big deal and you don't want to initiate divorce proceedings before you're sure it is the right choice.
- Attempt to get on the same page as your spouse. The best thing that you and your spouse can do is remain amicable and try to work out the details of your divorce together. Discuss things like child custody, child support, division of assets, bank accounts, 401k, vehicles, and spousal support. Mediation services are available if you're having trouble agreeing on all or some things, but it is great if you can walk into your divorce lawyer's office with a plan.
- Talk to a divorce lawyer. Even if you're not completely sure you want to file for divorce, it can't hurt to talk to a divorce lawyer first. A compassionate Illinois divorce attorney can talk to you about your options and what you can expect to happen if and when you decide to file for divorce.
Do you know someone who is thinking about getting divorced? Please feel free to share this article with him or her!