Four Common Myths About Your Illinois Divorce

 Posted on December 03, 2024 in Divorce

Most of us have heard the statistics that claim half of all marriages will end in divorce. While that was true in the early 1980s, divorce has been on a steady decline since then. Today, in the United States, about 39 percent of all marriages will end in divorce.

The drop in divorce rates is largely related to Millennials, who appear to be more selective about their life partners, marry later, and are more likely to remain married. Some of these younger couples say they want to be more financially secure when they marry, while others are finishing up their education, or are laser-focused on getting their careers off the ground.

In any case, the 50 percent divorce rate that is still claimed is nothing more than a myth – and there are plenty of those myths circulating regarding divorce. When you need solid, knowledgeable divorce guidance, you need a Will County, IL divorce attorney from Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C.. We can help you with the divorce process, answer your questions, and advocate on your behalf.  

What Are the Most Common Divorce Myths?

Divorce has to be a battle, and court is the only way to get what you deserve.

Television courtroom dramas have led us to believe that litigation is the only way to ensure a divorce is fair. In reality, many couples now engage in mediated or collaborative divorces with very good results. Other couples may be able to resolve key issues on their own, without alternative dispute resolution techniques and without the intervention of a judge. Any time you and your spouse can make important divorce decisions on your own, this is definitely the way to go. Staying out of court can mean far fewer delays, less emotional toll, and fewer legal fees.

Once you file for divorce, the court will handle everything.

Far too many people think once they hire an attorney and file for divorce, the legal process takes care of everything else. While the court has authority over your divorce, if you choose to rely entirely on the court system, you are also giving up control over issues that will affect you for many years to come. A judge makes decisions based on the law but will not comprehensively understand your unique family dynamics.  

A spouse who commits adultery loses everything in the divorce.

This is simply not true since the advent of no-fault divorce. Even if a spouse files under "fault" grounds, claiming the other committed adultery, it is unlikely to have any impact on the division of marital assets, spousal support, or the allocation of parental responsibilities. The one exception would be when the spouse who committed adultery also dissipated marital assets as a result (i.e., he or she spent a significant amount of marital money on the other person).

Divorce inflicts long-term harm on children.

Divorce is challenging for adults and children, but there are instances where divorce is much better for the children than having two unhappy parents – or parents who fight constantly. Ending your marriage does not automatically mean your children will be forever scarred and can actually benefit some children in situations like the following:

• Divorce allows the child to get a much-needed fresh start in a new town or a new school.
• Divorce allows the child to spend more quality time with one or both parents than he or she did during the marriage.
• Divorce removes the child from an abusive household.
• Divorce ends frequent fights and yelling, allowing the child to grow up in a more peaceful, loving environment.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Divorce Lawyer

When you choose a Naperville, IL divorce attorney from Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C., you can rest easy, knowing your lawyer will stand up for you and your child at every turn. Attorney Ronald Hendrix holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling in addition to his law degree and is a court-appointed mediator, which offers significant benefits to you and your divorce. Contact Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C. at 630-355-7776 to schedule your free consultation.