When Your Divorce Involves an Alcoholic Spouse
It's not surprising that you are considering divorcing your spouse who has alcohol addiction issues. Dealing with this sort of thing can break the strongest of marital bonds. However, when a spouse is actively drinking, you should take steps to make things safer and easier for you and any children involved. For some tips on doing that, read on.
Speak to a divorce lawyer right away.
Be honest with the lawyer about your spouse's issues. Lawyers deal with all sorts of divorces and they likely have experience with alcoholic spouses, as well as understanding what it's like for the spouse. Be sure to speak with the lawyer about these issues:
- If you fear for your safety, let the lawyer know. Find out about restraining orders and even moving to a safehouse if you are in danger.
- Let the lawyer know about your financial issues because of your spouse's drinking. Often, active alcoholics spend untold amounts of money and have no memory of doing so. Also, inpatient rehab is very expensive and may not help the alcoholic stop entirely.
- Tell the lawyer what steps you have taken to help your spouse and what the results were.
Take your safety seriously.
Once your spouse is informed of the divorce proceedings, they could spiral out of control. Not all alcoholics are dangerous, but you must take measures to keep yourself and your children safe. Don't allow your child to stay with your spouse because they could end up leaving the area with them. Before you inform your spouse, have a plan ready that includes money, a safe place to flee, and a bag packed with enough to stay for a while. If you have a restraining order, you may be able to stay in your home — just don't allow your spouse to violate the order.
Follow These Tips
The below tips may help you, depending on your situation:
- Open your own checking account. You can better protect your finances that way.
- Rent a box at the post office or a mailbox business. You don't want to risk your spouse seeing anything personal about the divorce.
- Never speak with your spouse except through your lawyer.
- Provide your lawyer with a list of assets and debts. Add the dates they were acquired. Your lawyer will determine their status as far as marital or separate.
To learn more about dealing with an alcoholic spouse, speak to a divorce lawyer such as Thompson Salinas Londergan, LLP.
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