Even if you know that divorce is the right decision, taking the initial steps can be difficult. But divorce can lead to positive changes in your life. It’s good to keep that in mind. Once you begin the process of separation and divorce, you’ll start to see that many of the benefits of divorce are waiting for you on the horizon.
Huntsville family law attorney Leigh Daniel is known for the positive attitude she brings to divorce cases. As a divorce attorney, she serves as an advocate for positive change on behalf of her clients. If you need guidance on how to move forward with the divorce process in north Alabama, speak to one of Leigh Daniel Family Law’s experienced divorce lawyers.
Pros of Getting Divorced
About half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Many divorced adults flourish after leaving unhealthy marriages and lead fulfilling lives. Without a doubt, you are better off if your divorce means you have escaped a violent marriage or you divorce a narcissist. An abusive spouse can endanger you physically. A spouse with narcissistic personality disorder can harm your psychological well-being and make you feel like the marital problems are your fault, which they are not. There are other potential benefits of a divorce as well
Emotional Benefits From Divorcing
The chronic stress brought on by constant conflict in a bad marriage is detrimental to your physical and mental health. Stress from marital conflict can cause headaches, stomach issues, high blood pressure, and the increased release of stress hormones. Stress also can lead to changes in appetite. Some people develop unhealthy eating habits in response to stress factors. After you file for divorce, you may feel some immediate sense of relief. You will no longer feel the same level of stress once the source of conflict is removed. A reduction in stress can help you to recover your health.
Freedom To Live ; The Life You Want
Divorce gives you the freedom to live your life and can help you to regain your equilibrium and mental health. That is not to say that divorce alone will solve issues such as depression or low self-esteem. But getting out of a bad marriage gives you the opportunity to focus on yourself. Seeing a good therapist or attending a divorce support group is a positive step as you go through separation and divorce. Once you are single, you may be ready to get more exercise and eat better to get back into good physical shape, especially if you’re looking to date again.
Divorce can be good for your children’s health
Children experience the impact of an unhappy marriage in many ways. Children will do better if they no longer have to internalize the stress and anxiety of living with parents engaged in frequent hostile confrontations and loud arguments. One study found that older children reported feeling relieved at the time of their parents’ divorce.
When considering the pros and cons of divorce, many divorced adults also report that they are able to build a better relationship with their ex-spouse once they no longer share the things they used to fight over.
Financial Benefits of Divorce
Money issues and financial stress contribute to the failure of many marriages. One spouse may constantly run up debt on credit cards, causing conflict. When seeking a divorce, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your financial situation and your goals for your financial future.
Several financial advisors described more than a half-dozen financial benefits of divorce to U.S. News & World Report. They include:
- Greater control over money. Once you are divorced, your money is yours. There’s no one to fight with about how you spend, save or invest money. You have control of the purchases placed on your credit cards and whether the credit cards get paid off every month or accrue interest charges. The U.S. News & World Report article says women are more sensible investors who typically earn marginally better gains than men.
- Penalty-free early access to a retirement fund. If you obtain a qualified domestic relations order as part of your divorce, it allows you to make an early withdrawal from a retirement account without the typical 10% penalty assessed to those younger than age 59½. However, the withdrawal is taxed as income if it is not rolled into an IRA.
- More college financial aid. Because the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) only requires financial information from the custodial parent, a divorced parent’s income could enhance a child’s eligibility for financial aid.
- Social Security spousal benefits. If you were married to your spouse for at least ten years and he or she has reached age 62, you are still entitled to Social Security spousal benefits even after your divorce. Your receipt of spousal benefits will not affect the amount your ex receives in Social Security. If you were still married, you’d have to wait for your spouse to claim benefits. You’d want to discuss whether to apply for Social Security spousal benefits and all financial matters discussed in this article with a financial advisor or accountant.
Benefits of Divorce for the Family
Many families are happier after their parents get a divorce. We believe the steps to this include the following:
- Shared custody. When shared custody is part of a divorce agreement, children live with each of their parents part of the time. The time with each parent is good for the children’s psychological and social health. In a shared custody arrangement, parents share equal time with their children and may or may not have equal decision-making rights.
- Joint legal custody. Under a joint legal custody agreement, parents not only have equal rights to spend time with their children, but they also share decision-making responsibility. This requires the parents to get along well enough to come to agreements on issues like healthcare, education, and religious instruction involving their children.
Establishing joint legal custody and shared physical custody of children in a divorce order is an agreement to co-parent your children with your ex. You may have wanted him or her out of your life, but if you have underage children, your ex will likely remain a part of the picture. When a child’s divorced parents remain equally invested in their children’s lives, children feel less emotional stress and benefit from stronger and more stable relationships with their parents.
Get in Touch With Divorce Attorneys That Advocate for Positive Change
At Leigh Daniel Family Law, our compassionate Huntsville divorce lawyers are committed to helping our clients end their marriages with agreements that meet their best interests and set them up for successful futures. We understand that this is a rough time for you, but we are confident that your divorce can be a positive new beginning. At Leigh Daniel Family Law, we are advocates for positive change.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation, and let us show you why we are confident you have a better future ahead.
