Divorcing an Alcoholic

If you want to learn how to go about divorcing an alcoholic in Chicago, contact Angela Larimer at 773-370-0600.

Alcoholism is a terrible disease. When a spouse is divorcing an alcoholic, a person has to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally and obtain the assistance of an experienced attorney. Alcoholism can affect marital life by causing financial problems, irresponsibility, poor communication, and violence. Leaving an alcoholic spouse requires courage and careful planning. To learn more about the strategies to use when divorcing an alcoholic to safeguard one’s best interests and those of the children in Illinois, call family law attorney Angela Larimer, rated top 5% of all family lawyers in the state of Illinois at 773-370-0600.

Contacting an Attorney

When divorcing a spouse with alcohol use disorder in Chicago, the first step should be to contact a local family law attorney. The attorney will inform a person of his or her rights as well as the legal options and support available. Divorce proceedings require lots of paperwork and preparation. An attorney will help the person know what should be documented and the steps to take to ensure safety.

A person divorcing a spouse with alcoholism issues should be honest about his or her situation when discussing with an attorney. He or she should make the attorney aware of any issues that might have led to the alcoholic’s behavior, deterioration of the marriage, and any concerns, such as the safety of the children.

Gathering Evidence

Alcoholism can be proven by having documentation and information that demonstrates the spouse’s behavior. Getting copies of police reports can help establish a spouse as an alcoholic. If alcoholism leads to violent outbursts, one can take photos of the injuries that occurred or give to the attorney driving records or police reports that substantiate the claim.

One can also take photos of property damage caused by alcohol-induced incidents. Berating or incoherent text, email, or voice messages received from an alcoholic spouse can also serve as evidence.

Adverse actions displayed by an alcoholic spouse can be used by the court to make decisions. The non-alcoholic spouse may be allocated the majority of parental responsibilities.

Preparing Financially

The non-alcoholic spouse should plan financially for life after divorce. Working with a skilled family law attorney is the first step towards achieving this goal. He or she can start a business or look for a job. To safeguard his or her existing financial assets, the spouse should open his or her own bank accounts or credit cards to ensure that he or she will have the necessary resources to support himself or herself.

Leaving One’s Home

Leaving one’s home safely is one of the ways to mitigate the stress that comes with divorcing an alcoholic. Leaving children in a volatile environment is risky, so one should remove the children to a safe environment.

Informing Others

A spouse who has decided to divorce an alcoholic will need the support of others when going through the process. Therefore, he or she should discuss the decision and situation with friends and family members. Such a support system can be contacted in times of emergencies and even provide a safe place to stay when the need arises.