Knowing someone who knows someone that had a bad divorce often causes many misconceptions to seed around the process. When this happens, many people put off filing for a divorce.
Delaying a divorce may only make matters worse. Here are a few common myths about the legal process debunked:
Myth #1: You’ll lose all your assets in a divorce
Truth: Assets are typically split in a divorce, and Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state, which means that the division is supposed to be fair. So you’ll still have someone left to take with you to start life anew. Having a prenup or postnup can help protect assets.
Myth #2: Your kids will have trouble adjusting after the divorce.
Truth: Kids do thrive on stability, but they don’t do well inside a home where the parents are always in conflict. A divorce may actually improve their sense of stability. It may, however, mean you’ll have to discuss the divorce with your children. It could be a difficult subject to approach, but it shouldn’t have to stop you from seeking a divorce.
Myth #3: You’ll never see your kids after the divorce
Truth: Parents, typically, plan out some kind of child custody order. Parents may consider working out a co-parenting plan or, in a worst-case scenario, a parallel parenting plan.
Myth #4: Your spouse has to agree to divorce
Truth: People seeking divorce often hope their spouse is willing to sign the divorce papers, but that doesn’t always happen. If a spouse isn’t willing to sign divorce papers and, as such, tries to stop or delay the process, then they may be unhappy with the results. You may be able to work around your spouse’s reluctance and seek an uncontested divorce.
If you’re unsure if divorce is right for you, you may need to reach out for legal help.