Need to Leave an Addict and Get a Divorce? What to Know Now
Posted on: 28 January 2019
If drug abuse or alcohol addiction has taken over your spouse's life and you have tried to help them over and over with no success, you may feel like you want to get a divorce. If you are worried that they are going to act violently or fight you to get the kids, and they can't be trusted, you want to meet with a lawyer right away.
A family divorce lawyer sees divorce cases every day and will be able to help you file and get the case moving quickly. Here are some of the things that you want to take with you for the case.
Proof of Drug or Alcohol Abuse
Protecting the children has to be one of your top priorities. You may have to prove that your spouse has a drug or alcohol problem to the judge in order to limit the time that your children spend with your spouse or to prevent your children from being in a vehicle with them. Talk with your lawyer about how to get the best evidence, or what you can do to try to push your spouse into rehabilitation if they want to see the kids during or after the divorce.
Financial Information
You will want to make sure that you are making all of the right moves throughout the divorce, and that it doesn't look like you are trying to take all of the joint money. Talk with your lawyer about these things:
- What joint payments to get out of
- What bills to pay and not pay
- How to pay for a place on your own
- How to get your spouse out of the house
- What to do with retirement or savings accounts
- Dividing assets
You don't want to get to the courtroom and have it look like you took everything and left your spouse with nothing at a bad time in their life. Try to do everything you can to split things down the middle, and then you can go for child support or alimony.
Protection Order
If you worry that your spouse is going to drink heavily or do drugs when you inform them that you are taking the kids and leaving, you will want to get a protection order against them. Talk with your lawyer about your fears and potential risks and if there are weapons in the house.
There are a lot of problems that can occur when you are trying to get a divorce, and things can become more difficult if you are trying to divorce someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Speak with a divorce lawyer and start mapping out your steps today.
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