Atlanta parents who are trapped in loveless marriages may still struggle with the idea of divorce. After all, they may insist, isn’t growing up in a two-parent home better than being a child of divorce?
Actually, no, it isn’t if the child has to live with two warring parents or with a mother and father who are only icily civil to one another. That is not a good way to teach your kids how to form and maintain functional relationships as adults.
Think about the message that you send when you continue to remain with someone whom you no longer love or respect. You are teaching the children to sublimate their own happiness. And for what? Material gain? The opinion of the Joneses? Not a good message.
It is generally far better to plan a civil exit from the marriage. You and your soon-to-be-ex can hammer out a parenting plan to allow both of you fair access to the kids. An Atlanta family law attorney can help you iron out custody dilemmas and assure that the kids’ financial needs are met.
One thing to consider before pulling the trigger on a bad marriage is are either of you willing to do the work to save the relationship? Marital counseling has saved many a doomed marriage. But the spouses have to want to make the necessary changes.
This is something that only you and your spouse can determine. However, before any decisions are made, it is wise to seek the counsel of a family law attorney. They can advise you of your rights and responsibilities if you divorce. They can offer alternatives to a traditional litigated divorce, if that is appropriate in your circumstances.
But, most importantly, your attorney can help you craft a custody arrangement that reflects your children’s best interests and protects your rights as their parent.