Author: Alex Thompson

Giving Up and Divorcing Your Alcoholic Husband

how to divorce an alcoholic

There are many men and women who have suffered from alcoholism in their life but have achieved sobriety and maintained it. If you asked 10 different spouses who have gone through this experience, you may get 10 different answers. She is greatly affected by this ugly disease, too, and she would be comforted and educatted by hearing the stories of others and how people cope with a loved one who is an addict. Addicts (even during the times they are sober) can’t cope with any type of stress or conflict, and therefore cannot communicate effectively with others, especially a spouse. They tend to get angry, irritated quickly, impatient, mean, and hot-tempered, whether they have been drinking or are sober.

However, it’s important to remember that protecting your financial assets is crucial for your well-being and future stability. This is especially true when divorcing an alcoholic spouse, who may be struggling with addiction and making poor financial decisions. Keep a close eye on the progress of your husband’s habit of drinking. If you see some improvement, then try to give all the love and care so that he can come out from the clutches of alcoholism. An abusive home atmosphere is not at all good for the overall development of your children.

When you seek divorce from someone with any kind of substance abuse disorder, there are some things that you can do to protect yourself. Each California County usually has a respected addiction expert who may testify as an expert and make recommendations to the Family Court. These experts are usually a Ph.D. and may serve a dual role of a private child custody evaluator. We have seen such situations devolve toward physical abuse against the other spouse or children.

Related Must-Read Articles and Guides for Complex Divorces

You should also tell your lawyer if your spouse has a history of alcohol abuse, even if it’s not currently active. I don’t want to demonize the sober, but alcohol problems can and do recur. Honesty with your lawyer can help to protect you and your children from being in an unsafe situation. If you are trying to divorce with no money, the best place to find a divorce attorney is with a legal aid group in your area.

how to divorce an alcoholic

We’ll also discuss the importance of working with a skilled lawyer who can help you navigate this complex process. Remember, the journey of rebuilding your life after divorcing an alcoholic takes time. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support, and focusing on personal growth, you can navigate this challenging period and create a brighter future for yourself. Navigating co-parenting and child custody issues in the context of divorcing an alcoholic can be complex. It’s important to consult with professionals who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation. Remember, the well-being of your children is paramount, and seeking appropriate support and resources is essential.

Alcoholism and Divorce Statistics

A person living with an alcoholic can feel love and compassion and feel like they want to help so badly, and then after a bad night have so much hatred and anger and disgust for the same person. The best way to move forward in this process is to work with a lawyer who understands your situation and what you’re going through. This can help you know what to document, what steps ensure your safety, and how to work through this process in the most efficient way possible. One of the important issues discussed in the courtroom is the division of assets. For this you need to find out the value of your marital assets and figure out your share in the assets.

Many of the ways to prepare yourself are the same, whether you’re dealing with alcohol abuse or not. Check out our leaving your husband checklist and how to leave your husband with no money for the basic details. This website’s content is solely for residents of California or residents of the United States or Canada who have a family law matter in California.

You may need to get a restraining order/protective order, seek sole child custody during your separation or take other legal action to keep yourself and your children safe. By taking steps to navigate alimony and child support during a divorce from an alcoholic spouse, you can ensure that you’re taking care of your family’s financial needs. This can help you create a more stable and secure future for yourself and your children, even in the midst of a difficult and emotional time. In this section, we’ll provide an overview of the legal process involved in divorcing an alcoholic spouse. We’ll discuss the different stages of the process, from filing for divorce to negotiating a settlement or going to trial. When you’re divorcing an alcoholic spouse, it’s important to understand the financial impact of their addiction.

An alarming rise to alcoholism gave way to an increase in divorce application for the same cause. You don’t need to tell the whole story of your divorce to everyone but you do need to tell it to your divorce lawyer. Not only are you protected by attorney-client privilege, the more information they have about your situation and the challenges you face the better they will be able to advise and protect you. There are a number of ways your partner’s alcoholism can affect the custody of your children in a divorce.

  1. So, divorcing an alcoholic isn’t something that’s unheard of.
  2. Seeking the help of a skilled lawyer or therapist can provide you with the support and guidance you need to navigate this difficult time.
  3. Dividing marital property and debts is one of the most challenging aspects of divorcing an alcoholic spouse.
  4. If you’re considering a divorce, it’s important to speak with an attorney to understand your legal options.
  5. We’ll also provide strategies for finding and organizing these documents, such as using online tools or working with a financial advisor.
  6. Couples therapy may be beneficial if both parties are willing to participate and work towards a healthier resolution.

We must first conduct a conflict check before we contact you. By contacting us through this form, you authorize us to communicate with you by phone or email and you agree to these terms and conditions. Sometimes, the alcohol abusing spouse is not able to hold down a job or is simply unwilling due to the abuse’s debilitating nature. When divorcing an alcoholic who is the lower income earner or does not earn any income at all, different challenges arise.

Random alcohol testing can also ensure that the rules are followed and that habitual or continual abuse doesn’t impact the children involved. You’ll also need to make sure that you and your children have adequate health insurance. If your spouse was the primary breadwinner and carried the insurance, ensure they don’t drop you during the separation phase. This is a federal law that requires employers to let employees’ families continue their health insurance after a qualifying event, such as divorce or leaving the company. You may also be able to get health insurance through your state’s marketplace or Medicaid. While my views may seem harsh against people battling substance abuse, I believe their family members need profound support, especially if there are children involved.

Resources Available During a Divorce from an Alcoholic Spouse

Here you will need tax statements, bank account information, mortgage papers, credit card statements and title information. No-fault divorces allow couples to separate without proving that one spouse did something wrong. Instead, they can base their divorce on incompatibility or simply no longer wanting to stay married. In this case, the court won’t consider AUD grounds for separation.

Also, never try to talk to an alcoholic about quitting drinking if the person has been drinking. Do it when he or she is sober.

Once you have the divorce decree in your hand, it is time to start a new journey. Complete the other formalities like changing your name after divorce, getting a new Social Security Card, driving license and so on. Now you are free to start working on making a new identity for yourself. Don’t spend extravagantly until you succeed in divorcing your husband. In the mean time you need to make a plan regarding what you will be doing after the divorce.

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Of course, just because a spouse is divorcing an alcoholic does not mean he or she should sit on the sideline and be pressed into a lack of financial support. Those who suffer from ongoing alcohol abuse may sometimes be quite functional in life’s other aspects. The level of difficulty when dealing with an alcoholic with an ongoing alcohol abuse problem can vary so greatly from one person to another that the greatest consistency is a lack of consistency. Some signs that your spouse may be struggling with alcoholism include frequent drinking, difficulty controlling their drinking, and continuing to drink despite negative consequences. Other signs may include mood swings, irritability, and secrecy around their drinking habits.