Divorcing a Spouse With Substance Abuse Issues in Illinois

 Posted on December 28, 2020 in Divorce

Addiction is a destructive disease, both for the person with the disease and for the friends and family members present in their lives. It can be painful for family members, especially a spouse, to watch a loved one grapple with the effects of drug and/or alcohol addiction. For many marriages involving addiction, there is hope for recovery if both spouses are willing to work toward it; however, not all relationships can heal from the damages and issues that addictions can cause. It can be difficult for the non-addicted spouse to make the decision as to when and if it is the right time to divorce. Do you stay and support your spouse out of loyalty and love, or do you divorce him or her so you can place your own mental health as a priority instead of the substance abuse? The following are a few things to ponder if you are contemplating or have decided to divorce an addicted spouse.

Addiction Is Toxic for a Marriage

When a spouse has an addiction, there are many things about that addiction that can cause issues in the marriage. Over time, the addiction eventually causes the very essentials that built the marriage to break down, such as the element of trust. Spouses with an addiction tend to lie to their partners about their usage, how much they may have spent on their addiction, or broken their promises about quitting their addiction.

You Need to Protect Your Finances

One of the most important things for you to do once you have made the decision to get a divorce is to start to protect your finances. Many people married to an addicted spouse do not realize how costly their spouse’s addiction is until they actually begin to add up the costs. If you suspect your spouse is wasting marital funds on their addiction, this may be considered a dissipation of assets. Therefore, you should open new bank accounts in your name only, change the PIN on your bank cards, change the passwords on your bank accounts online, and consider freezing your credit card accounts.

Our Kane County Divorce Attorney Is Here to Help

Addiction is a difficult situation for any family to deal with for multiple reasons. In some situations, a divorce may be the best thing you can do for your family. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, we can help you explore your options for divorce and determine which method would be the best fit for your situation. We will also ensure you and your children are safe from any potential harm or danger by implementing orders of protection and/or interim support orders if needed. To schedule a confidential consultation with our knowledgeable Batavia divorce lawyer, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://springhillrecovery.com/divorce-and-addiction/

https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/divorce/

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