Divorce Myths and the Realities Behind Them

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

When it comes to divorce, there can be a lot of confusion around how it works, the legalities of it and how it affects you in the long run. Some of this confusion can be attributed to the difference in laws between states, some can be contributed to the portrayal of divorce in movies and television, but much of the confusion surrounding divorce is because no two divorces are the same. Stories that you hear about other people and their divorces can be misleading because much like people, no two divorces are the same. Allowing yourself to be consumed by divorce myths can be detrimental to your divorce success. Here are four common divorce myths and the realities behind them.

If You Cheat, You Will Suffer in the Divorce

The notion that adulterers lose in a divorce is an antiquated one. While cheating brings about many types of issues and can be emotionally damaging, Illinois does not recognize cheating as grounds for making decisions about divorce-related matters. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act states that one of the purposes of the Act was to “eliminate the consideration of marital misconduct in the adjudication of rights and duties incident to dissolution of marriage.”

Mothers Always Get Custody of the Children

This myth is also antiquated. In Illinois divorces, the mother does not automatically get custody of the children. Courts prefer children to be raised by both parents and will usually only award the majority or all parenting responsibilities when it would not be pertinent or in the best interest of the children to award parenting responsibilities to both parents.

Your Marital Assets Will Be Split in Half

If you are going through a divorce, you have probably heard the phrase “fair and equitable distribution of assets.” Many states have begun to adopt this practice when it comes to dividing marital assets. This can lead to some confusion because while the distribution of assets will be equitable, that does not mean it will necessarily be equal. Illinois courts look at a variety of factors when it comes to asset division, including the contributions each spouse gave to the marriage.

You Do Not Need a Divorce Attorney

While it is true that you are not required to have a divorce attorney to be granted a divorce, it is in your best interest to hire one. When you have help from an experienced DuPage County divorce lawyer, you know that you will be given top-notch legal advice throughout the divorce process. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. will be by your side every step of the way to offer any legal guidance and assistance that you might need. To schedule a consultation, call the office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/12-top-divorce-myths_b_10054118

https://www.cnbc.com/id/42298130

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59