If you are contemplating filing for divorce in Colorado, or you have recently been served with notice that your spouse has filed, you likely have a number of questions about what to expect from the Colorado divorce process. There are pros and cons of divorce, just as there are for any other crossroad in life. Identifying some of the most common pros of divorce may put you in a position to maximize the potential benefits, while developing an awareness of the cons of divorce that affect many other people may prepare you to mitigate the potential negative effects. For a more detailed discussion customized to your situation, call Johnson Law Group’s Denver office at (720) 706-5703 to schedule an informational consultation with one of our experienced divorce attorneys.
The most obvious of the pros of divorce is directly related to the advantages of obtaining your freedom from what can often be a difficult situation. In the stressful period that frequently precedes divorce proceedings, it can be easy for the range and diversity of these potential benefits to go under-recognized. Taking a moment to identify some of the common pros of divorce and appreciate their potential impacts on your life and your family’s future may give you a more positive outlook on divorce overall.
The process of going through a divorce can absolutely have negative impacts on the mental health of the parties involved. At the same time, however – while the mental health challenges posed by stressors associated with divorce are very real – many people find, in the months to the first few years after their divorce becomes final, that they experience an unexpected mental health boost as they leave behind an unhappy marriage and begin to forge a new life on their own. The mental health benefits of divorce may be especially noticeable for individuals whose marriages were characterized by chronically unhealthy behaviors – even if the other spouse was not solely responsible for this dysfunction. Divorce represents an opportunity not only to leave a relationship with someone whose attitude and behaviors may have become hurtful to someone they once cherished, but also a chance for each spouse to break old patterns, re-examine their own tendencies, and say farewell to old habits that no longer serve their current selves.
For many people, the relationship between divorce and finances is characterized by the often painful impact of losing a second income, or the expense of setting up a household on only one. Despite these very real difficulties, however, it is not unusual for a recently divorced individual to find to their surprise that the financial independence they experience – even if in straightened circumstances – comes as a breath of fresh air.
While the stress of divorce can certainly take its toll on children, it can also be true that divorce can sometimes provide children with a healthier environment than they were able to enjoy in their former, “intact” home. The most obvious example of this potential benefit of divorce comes when one parent is abusive – if not to the children directly, then toward their other parent – and divorce means an escape from the anxiety and tensions that often accompany proximity to abusive relationships. Less obviously, children who are aware of their parents’ overall unhappiness may experience feelings of relief in the months after a divorce, as each household finds its routine and the parents begin to find themselves – and their individual relationships with each child – after a period of stress and uncertainty.
As with many other areas of life, the cons of divorce are often directly related to its benefits. The same elements can, depending on the circumstances, present both immense frustration and important opportunities for finding relief.
Just as divorce can bring a refreshing sense of financial independence, it can in many cases also result in significant financial instability. Particularly when one party relies heavily on payments of alimony or child support and the other is not meticulous about adhering to the payment schedule, the financial changes that come with establishing separate households and adjusting to altered income vis a vis domestic expenses can be highly stressful. An experienced Denver area family law attorney with Johnson Law Group may be able to help you evaluate your options if you are struggling with enforcement issues after a divorce.
Even when a family’s domestic life prior to the divorce was far from ideal, it is not uncommon for children to feel deeply unsettled not just by the numerous practical changes in routine that often accompany a divorce, but by the sense of uncertainty that typically comes with recognizing that sometimes people who used to love you no longer do, or that people you relied on to always be on your side may someday choose to fight you, instead. If you are approaching a divorce with children and you plan on hiring a divorce lawyer, consider making a strategy discussion concerning how you can take steps to protect your children’s peace of mind through the Parenting Plan you submit to the Colorado Judicial Branch as part of your divorce packet.
Children are not, of course, the only ones who may feel stress and anxiety as the reality of divorce begins to sink in. Personal experiences in this respect range from deep-seated relief to a profound sense of betrayal, with many spouses also struggling to understand the complexity of their own emotions. At some level, however, even the most pragmatic and level-headed adult is likely to grapple with some of the same questions regarding the nature of trust and relationships that often haunt children in the weeks and months after a divorce.
Because a divorce genuinely is a major, life-changing decision, it is important to review all your options and make sure that you feel firm in your path forward before filing a Petition for Divorce with the Colorado Judicial Branch. You may wish to schedule a preliminary consultation with a divorce lawyer in your area who is willing to walk you through the essential steps and discuss with you what the divorce process might look like based on the circumstances of your particular case.
There are pros and cons of divorce, just as there are with any major life decision. As divorce attorneys, at Johnson Law Group we naturally aim to focus on the positives and on securing the outcomes that most align with our clients’ priorities – but the nature of our work means that we have opportunities to view the cons of divorce as well. Our goal is always to help each client maximize the pros of divorce in their own situation, while limiting the potential drawbacks. If you are still weighing your options, consider giving us a call at (720) 706-5703 and setting up an informational consultation at our Denver office to discuss your concerns.
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