A divorce can be the most difficult event of your life, not just emotionally, but financially and socially as well. It will impact every part of your life, including your job, your social circle, and your mental health. Once it’s over, however, the real work begins. You may be on your own for the first time in decades, and you need to take the proper steps to prepare yourself for what comes after your divorce. A Bloomington divorce lawyer can help you deal with everything.
It’s no secret that a divorce can be overwhelming. The process can drain you emotionally, and it’s vital that you prioritize self-care the entire time. The only thing that might be keeping you going is the idea that once it’s done, you may never have to see your ex again if you don’t want to. The sense of freedom, confidence, and possibility that comes with the finalization of a divorce may be good for you. Your lawyer can help you prepare for what comes next.
Secure the Right Lawyer
One of the most important things you can do for yourself in your divorce is get in contact with the right lawyer. Having someone by your side who understands Illinois divorce law and can provide you with the right kind of legal support can only help you in the long run. At Stange Law Firm, we can provide you with an empathetic and personalized approach to your divorce case. Our multi-state team has helped clients across the country handle the details of their cases.
It may be good for you to understand the marriage and divorce rates of Illinois to gain some perspective and reassure yourself that you’re not alone. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2023, Illinois has a considerably low divorce rate of only 1.2 per 1,000 people. The marriage rate, however, is quite high, with over 50% of people identifying as married in a recent poll from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re going through something as traumatic and life-altering as a divorce. If you don’t have your health, you may not have much else. You should consider reaching out to a local mental health support group like DivorceCare for help. Sitting down and talking through your fears, concerns, and hopes with others who are going through their own problems can be beneficial to your healing journey. They can help you start to cope.
What to Look Forward to After Divorce
It’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s divorce experience is going to be different. Some people may be able to heal and move on almost overnight, while others may take years to overcome the trauma of divorce. Don’t try to rush into anything. Take the time to heal yourself and figure out what you really want out of your next phase of life. These are some positive elements to look forward to after you get divorced that you might not immediately consider:
- Sometimes, it takes a traumatic event to show you who you really are. A divorce can awaken a sense of self-discovery that pushes you to pursue personal growth in more ways than one. You might want to take this time to consider everything that led to the divorce in the first place. If you feel responsible, even partially, you might want to make some life changes to avoid the same result in your next relationship.
- You may start to realize that you are considerably less stressed than you have been in the past. Divorces do not happen to solid, happy marriages. They happen in marriages full of resentment, fear, betrayal, and incompatibility. Now that you’re no longer married, you might want to embrace freedom and do things you might not have been able to do while married. Travel, make new friends, reconnect with old ones, or learn a skill.
FAQs
Q: Does Divorce Always Hurt Emotionally?
A: No, not every divorce will hurt emotionally. Divorce can be emotionally devastating to some people, but a happy turn of events for others. It depends entirely on what caused the end of the marriage and whether you feel sad or happy over the divorce. If you are escaping a toxic marriage, you may be very happy that it’s over. If you’re losing financial security, you may be quite depressed. Everyone’s situation is different.
Q: Can Divorce Improve My Mental Health?
A: Yes, divorce can improve your mental health. You may have been trapped in a painful, toxic marriage with a spouse who was constantly putting you down. Now that you’re out, you may be truly happy for the first time in years. This newfound sense of freedom can do wonders for your mental health and make you feel hopeful about the future.
Q: Can Divorce Improve My Finances?
A: Yes, a divorce can improve your finances. While you may end up losing money in the settlement through alimony, child support, or asset division, your financial security may improve in the long run. If you were the primary breadwinner and your spouse was not paying for anything, you may have disposable income and actual savings for the first time. Embrace financial security and start saving for your own future.
Q: Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?
A: Yes, you will need a divorce lawyer. While technically, you are not required to hire a lawyer to represent you in a divorce, it is still recommended that you do so. Having the right lawyer by your side can change things for you. Your spouse may be reluctant to try to take advantage of you if you have experienced legal support by your side.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer Today
Going through a messy divorce can be a huge strain on your mental health, but finalizing the divorce and moving on with your life can be healing in many different ways. At Stange Law Firm, we can help you work through your divorce and assist you in figuring out what comes next. Contact us to speak with a member of our team about your case.