Top 4 Reasons People Put Off Divorce

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans go through a divorce. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in recent years almost a million people divorce annually. At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A., we understand that not all marriages will end with both parties getting everything they want, and few divorces end with a scandalous outburst in open court. In reality, most people spend long hours reviewing their own emotions to determine what they can live with and what they cannot. We help and guide people through that process so they can rest easy and feel more comfortable with their own decisions.

Sadly, many people put off divorce for months or even years, often out of irrational fears of the unknown. Here are just four common reasons people put off divorce.

#1 – Money 

Make no mistake about it, money remains the top reason people delay getting divorced. There was a time when people would separate and live apart while getting divorced. In recent years, however, a growing number of couples cohabitate while getting divorced. This creates added stress and frustration, especially because the law requires a period of separation in order to get an “absolute divorce.” In other words, you must separate to achieve finality. The good news is, even with very limited budgets, there are ways to work around these issues and achieve the divorce you seek.

#2 – Attorney Fees (Or fear of fees) 

People just love to regale their friends with stories about divorces gone wrong and attorneys who bleed people of all their assets. While there are certainly horror stories to be told, these account for a small share of actual divorces involving skilled attorneys. Most attorneys who routinely practice divorce law work in a close-knit community of lawyers who respect and appreciate each other.

The true cost of a divorce is almost always more connected to the animosity and fighting of the parties than the attorney. If the parties can agree upon things and work out simple differences amicably, then attorney fees are usually fairly reasonable. If, on the other hand, the couple fights constantly and requires their divorce lawyer to handle unrelated issues like disputes over dry cleaning, then attorney fees certainly can get expensive.

#3 –  The Kids

Yes, kids suffer in divorce. There is simply no way to sugar-coat it and say they are unaffected. Change is tough for children, especially younger ones. But if there is fighting and chaos in the home, it’s important to put things in perspective and ask yourself whether they are better off in a toxic and hostile environment. If the marriage is friendly and without conflict, then it can be even tougher to decide the right course.

#4 – Religious and Cultural Reservations 

Even in this modern day, many people have underlying religious or cultural concerns about divorce. They may feel they are letting down parents or other relatives or violating religious teachings. These concerns are valid, even if they are not based on secular laws. It’s important to weigh these concerns in light of the facts of the marriage.

At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. in Maryland, we’re here to listen and give your case the attention it deserves. Sometimes you just need someone to answer a few questions and provide clarity on your options. Whatever your divorce questions, feel free to call us today to get help.

Resource:

cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm