If you’re considering going through a divorce, you might be wondering if there are pros and cons. What can a divorce actually do for you, and what can’t it? Here are some common things divorces are capable of by law along with the things a divorce won’t be able to help you with.
What can a divorce do for you?
A divorce can help you divide your property. During a marriage, you collect marital assets as well as maintaining separate assets. An asset division agreement can help you divided your marital assets, whether you determine the arrangement yourself or have a judge determine who gets what assets.
A divorce can determine support obligations, like alimony, and it can help you work out child custody and visitation schedules if you have children or children on the way.
What can’t a divorce do?
A divorce is unable to guarantee that you’ll receive an equal or fair share out of your marriage. While you can show a judge your assets or try to work out an agreement with your spouse, there is no guarantee that you’ll get everything you want, or that you feel you deserve, out of your marriage.
It can’t guarantee that you’ll be civil to one another during the proceedings or that you can maintain the same standard of living after your marriage ends. No one can force someone to be kind to another person or even to be reasonable. Divorces are emotionally charged, and they can be rocky at times. Demanding to receive a high amount of alimony to maintain a high standard of living might not be feasible in some situations. Sometimes, adjustments have to be made.
Of course, while a divorce can get you out of an uncomfortable situation, it’s unable to resolve any emotional issues related to your marriage or the divorce itself. For these situations, mediation sessions and private therapeutic treatments may help. Your attorney can help you set up mediation sessions or arbitration meetings as necessary.
Source: FindLaw, “What Is Divorce Good For?,” accessed Jan. 10, 2017