Going through a divorce can be one of the most overwhelming, painful, and frustrating situations in your entire life. Having to break away from someone you once loved, knowing things are ending in a way you can’t control, is a hard truth to deal with. Still, it is important that you figure out a way forward and work hard to ensure you aren’t taken advantage of in the divorce. An Illinois divorce lawyer can help you keep yourself together and figure out a good strategy.
The Emotional Impact of a Divorce
Depending on the situation of your divorce, you may be feeling a lot of conflicting emotions that are hard to fully deal with, especially while you are enduring the divorce process. If your divorce was uncontested, it will likely be handled as peacefully as it can be. However, if your divorce is contested, you may be in for quite a difficult legal battle ahead. Contested divorces can be considerably more expensive and take an emotional toll on you.
In a contested divorce, you have to fight for asset division, child custody arrangements, potential alimony, child support payments, and so much more. It can be a lot to deal with on your own. Hiring an experienced divorce lawyer can really make all the difference. It is vital that you have someone in your corner who can provide you with consistent emotional support during this difficult time, as well as legal assistance and advice that you can use.
Coping With Divorce in a Healthy Way
Regardless of whether or not your divorce is contested or uncontested, it may not be easy for you emotionally and can take its toll financially as well. A divorce is a substantial loss in your life that you need to give yourself time to properly feel. You may be feeling betrayed by someone you thought you trusted, fear of an uncertain future, anger at how complicated the process might be, and more. It is vital that you feel all of this and give yourself time to cope.
While you struggle to come to terms with the facts of your divorce, you may want to consider accepting a number of important truths about your situation. This can help you move forward with your life. Here are some things you can think about that might make the whole process easier for you:
- Divorce Does Not Equate to Failure: It is important that you understand that you haven’t failed as a partner. Divorce does not mean you failed the marriage. It simply means you realized your unhappiness and made the effort to change your circumstances. Sure, it might be very hard at first, but the alternative is staying in an unhappy marriage with a partner you may grow increasingly resentful towards.
- Your Emotions Matter: Above all, you need to allow yourself to feel everything that the divorce is making you feel. Suppressing your emotions can only hurt you in the long run. Losing your partner in a divorce can elicit a similar response to grief for a loved one. You are effectively grieving the loss of the relationship you thought you knew. Feeling the full scope of your emotions is paramount to your eventual healing journey.
- Embrace Support: You don’t have to suffer through this alone. Lean on family and friends where you can. Your lawyer can provide you with support if you just need to vent to someone who understands what you’re going through. You may want to consider seeing a therapist to cope with particularly stressful triggers.
FAQs
Q: How Long Does It Take to Get Divorced in Illinois?
A: As long as you meet the required residency requirements for an Illinois divorce, an uncontested divorce does not have a mandatory waiting period. If you can work everything out with your partner, you can move through the process rather quickly. For a contested divorce, there is generally a six-month waiting period. Every divorce is different, and some may take longer than others to finalize.
Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for My Divorce in Illinois?
A: No, you do not need to hire a lawyer for your divorce in Illinois. You are not legally required to hire legal counsel for your divorce. If you want to proceed on your own with no lawyer backing you up, that is your decision to make. Still, it is recommended that you seek out qualified legal representation whenever you are going through legal action of any kind. Having someone in your corner who can help is vital.
Q: What Happens If My Spouse Doesn’t Want a Divorce?
A: If your spouse does not wish to divorce you, that is their decision to make. However, it won’t stop your decision to move forward with your divorce. The judge presiding over your case is the one who makes the final decision to grant a divorce. Your spouse can do what they want to try and prolong the process, but if you are determined and you have solid grounds, the divorce is going to happen.
Q: What Is Considered Grounds for Divorce in Illinois?
A: Since Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, the only real grounds for a divorce in Illinois are irreconcilable differences, which is essentially an irrevocable breakdown of the marriage. While additional details like abuse, infidelity, or financial mismanagement can sometimes contribute to how assets are distributed, they won’t have much impact on the actual grounds for divorce. If you want to pursue a divorce, you don’t have to necessarily prove anything happened to cause it.
Reach Out to an Experienced Divorce Lawyer Today
It is important that you allow yourself to feel the emotions that the divorce is causing you to have. Otherwise, you could risk mental or emotional trauma, and that will just make your situation worse. Hiring an experienced divorce lawyer to help you cope with the stress of your divorce can make a big difference in your case. The legal team at Stange Law Firm understands the kind of legal support you need. Contact us to speak with a team member about your case.
