Filing for divorce in Illinois is hard enough on the spouses, but it’s even more challenging when you have kids involved. Many parents have heard that it’s best to stay together for the kids, even if your marriage is falling apart. But is this true in every situation?
Is staying married the right way to go?
Countless studies have shown that divorce can have a negative impact on the children involved. Children of divorce might become depressed, anxious or resentful of their parents. They might have to deal with the stress of moving to a new house and going to a new school. On top of that, they might go from seeing both parents every day to seeing one parent a few times a month.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should stay married in every situation. With the help of a family law attorney, it’s entirely possible to help your kids through a divorce and make sure that they maintain a relationship with both parents. From the beginning, you should encourage your children to talk about their feelings and listen to them when they’re struggling. This might be a hard time for you, but it’s hard for adults to imagine how stressful it is for their kids.
You should also be careful to never criticize your former spouse in front of your children. Make it clear that you and your former spouse are going to work as a team so that your children can have a healthy relationship with both of you.
How could an attorney help you through a divorce?
Besides representing you in court, an attorney could offer advice that makes the process easier for you and your children. They might help you figure out a co-parenting plan, housing options, child support and much more.