It is not uncommon for spouses to get into arguments or disagree over many different issues. In some cases, a spouse may even threaten to pursue a divorce against you. The word divorce can be highly triggering to people simply because of everything that divorce represents. For most people, divorce is a significant life event, similar to a baby being born or someone passing away. Divorce is a big deal, which is why it may be shocking and upsetting to hear your spouse hang the idea of divorce over your head. 

At the outset, it must be stated that threats of divorce should be taken seriously. Accordingly, if your spouse has threatened divorce, consider consulting with an experienced divorce attorney who can inform you of your rights and help you prepare for the event of divorce and how you ought to proceed.

Considerations for When Your Spouse Threatens Divorce

If your spouse has taken the step of threatening to divorce you, try and take a deep breath. Many different things can be said in the heat of the moment that people do not mean. However, still take the threat of divorce seriously and try to evaluate your marriage and where it’s at. Threats of divorce can act as a wake-up call for some people and may mean that issues in the marriage must be addressed. These issues may include infidelity, communication problems, financial strains, substance abuse, or parenting differences. It is more probable than not that if your spouse is threatening divorce, it is not without reason. Looking within yourself and then evaluating your marriage can help you locate areas of concern that need to be addressed. 

Getting a divorce is never easy and can be especially difficult once the holidays come around. If you are coming up on your first Christmas since splitting up from your spouse, you may likely feel heartbroken and at a loss for what to do. These feelings can be amplified if you have children, have recently moved out of the marital home, or if your spouse has moved out of the marital home. In any event, if you have reason to believe divorce may be on the horizon for you and your family, this blog will delve deeper into how you can make your first Christmas since your separation from your spouse as tolerable as possible.

At the outset, if you feel you and your spouse are heading toward a divorce, consult with a knowledgeable and compassionate divorce attorney who will protect your rights and help guide you through this challenging time so that the process can be as seamless as possible. 

Surviving the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

For anyone going through a separation and heading toward a divorce, Christmas and the holiday season will certainly not be the most wonderful time of the year. You may be feeling a cascade of emotions, which is normal and to be expected. Here are some strategies to help you cope with your situation. Consider the following strategies:  

Raising children can be among the most rewarding and fulfilling things anyone ever does in their entire life. Few acts are more loving and sincere than deciding to pursue adoption to start or grow your family. If you are fortunate enough to be considering adoption as your avenue toward growing your family, you are likely filled with excitement and questions about how the process works. If you are considering adoption as an option you are interested in, consider consulting with an experienced adoption attorney who understands the process and will work to ensure your process is as smooth as possible. 

Steps to Pursuing an Adoption

 Once you have made the exciting decision to pursue an adoption, you must become aware of all the different dynamics that go into the process of adoption in Illinois. Generally speaking, in Illinois, an individual or couple is eligible to adopt if they can satisfy standard residency requirements and have a good reputation in the community. Prospective parents must also be financially stable and able to provide whoever they are adopting with adequate shelter and suitable housing. Single people, unmarried couples, and married couples can pursue adoption. 

Types of Adoption in Illinois

It is crucial to understand the options available to decide what is best for you and your situation. In general, Illinois features four primary types of adoption, including: 

Getting a divorce can be one of the saddest, most contentious, and bitter processes that a person can ever experience. At least, that is the usual assumption when it comes to getting divorced. It is undoubtedly true that many divorces involve lots of anger and unpleasantness, particularly when children are involved. However, what if there was a way to get divorced that was not quite so terrible? 

There is a divorce process that can end things in an amicable way that will leave both you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse feeling heard and respected once the divorce is finalized. This process is referred to as an uncontested divorce. If you are seeking a divorce and believe that you and your partner can handle things amicably and cooperate effectively, an uncontested divorce may be a good option for you. Consider consulting with an experienced divorce attorney with familiarity with uncontested divorces to get the process started. 

What Are the Advantages of an Uncontested Divorce? 

According to Forbes, around 90% of divorces are uncontested. Forbes also reports that most uncontested divorces cost about $5,000, significantly less expensive than a traditional divorce. Many may start as contested, but the parties eventually can reach an agreement. Spouses often choose the route of uncontested divorce for two primary reasons: it saves time and money. Traditional divorces can be hindered by months or even years of litigation. Not to mention the tremendous cost of multiple court appearances. 

For many spouses, divorce mediation or other methods of cooperative divorce may be preferable to a prolonged courtroom battle. Divorcing spouses who use mediation may be able to save substantial time, money, and stress. However, alternative dispute resolution tactics may not be effective - or even worth trying - for every set of spouses. The process requires cooperation and a certain level of emotional maturity to succeed. Both spouses must be willing to make compromises with one another. Both spouses must be able to commit to participating in mediation or negotiation efforts.

While you and your spouse need not be amicable for divorce mediation to be an effective strategy, having a high level of conflict or certain types of intense conflict may mean that uncontested divorce is not likely to be a viable option for you. There are some signs that may lead your attorney to steer you toward the courthouse and away from a cooperative divorce. You also have the option of attempting to cooperate and then resorting to litigation should it fail. 

Signs That Divorce Mediation May Not be Right for You

Cooperative divorce methods can work for many spouses who are in conflict. However, it is not right for everyone. After speaking with your attorney, you may choose to go directly to court if one of these circumstances exists: