Welcome back and thank for joining the Kronzek team again, as we discuss the difficulties faced by parents when deciding to stay together for the sake of their kids versus getting a divorce. No matter who you are, or how old your children are, this will be a hard choice.
As we mentioned previously, there are numerous studies showing that children do better when raised by two parents in a loving and stable home. But just as many studies show that children raised in homes filled with tensions and anger between their parents, do poorly. So what is the right choice for your family? Again, there is no “right” answer. There are however, a number of suggestions our divorce lawyers can make for things you should consider before making your decision.
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Review the Pros and Cons.
There will be benefits to staying together, and benefits to getting divorced. The same goes for cons – there will be down sides to both options. It’s very important that you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option carefully before making your choice. Divorce is a life-altering decision which shouldn’t be made impulsively. In Michigan, the divorce process is lengthy, complex and often expensive. If you are trying to let good parenting be your motivator, be sure to consider the impact on your children at every step. Reviewing the different options often involves meeting with a seasoned divorce lawyer to learn about the ups and downs of divorce.
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Understand the Impact.
If you stay together, are you both equally committed to making your home a safe place for your children to grow and thrive? If not, would a divorce be better for your kids, or harder? Divorce is
hard on spouses and even harder on the children. Sometimes it’s the right answer, and sometimes it’s not. Only you and your spouse can make that choice. When deciding, always keep in mind your children and their futures. It is often wise to involve a counselor or therapist in these part of your decision making process.
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Aim for Long-Term Goals
Your children will be affected by the process and outcome of your decisions, whatever that may be. So it’s always better to weigh your options carefully before committing to major life changes. Consider all the members of your family when choosing if and how to proceed. Think about the ways they will be affected, and what their futures may look like as a result. Decisions made out of a desire to better everyone’s lives, as opposed to decisions made in anger or spite, will have far better results for everyone involved.
There is hardly a day that goes by that we don’t sit down with someone and discuss whether or not a divorce is the right choice for them, and what they are dealing with in future. Sometimes a divorce is the only way to protect their family or ensure happiness in the future. Sometimes it’s better to wait. And once in awhile, it can be avoided all together. The answer lies with you.
We encourage you to consider all of your options before making this decision. If you have questions or concerns about the divorce process, or want to better understand what you may be in for, call 248 479-6200 or set an appointment to come into our Farmington Hills office and talk to one of our experienced family law attorneys. We have helped hundreds of families in Michigan navigate their divorces, and we can help you too. Our Oakland County offices are conveniently located on Northwestern Highway near Inkster.