Will County Lawyer For Mental Health Issues in Divorce

Family Attorneys Provide Legal Help in Cases Involving Substance Abuse in Mokena and New Lenox

No matter the circumstances of a breakup, divorce can be a difficult process, but some situations can be especially volatile. If your spouse suffers from mental health issues or struggles with addiction, you are likely wondering what complications this may cause in your case. When added to the avalanche of emotional, personal, and legal concerns you are already dealing with, these issues can make your divorce even more overwhelming, which is why it is essential to work with a skilled divorce lawyer.

At Wakenight & Associates, P.C., our family law attorneys have over 95 years of combined experience, and we have represented clients in a wide variety of high conflict divorces. We will fight to protect your rights and address your concerns about addictions or mental illness, ensuring that you can reach a positive outcome to your divorce.

Issues Related to Mental Health and Addictions

Whether your spouse's mental illness or substance abuse was a direct cause of the end of your marriage or not, you are probably worried about how it will affect your divorce case. Some ways that these issues can play a role in divorce include:

• Child issues - You may worry that mental illness will affect your former partner's ability to care for your children, or you may be concerned about children being exposed to alcohol or drug abuse. You should also be aware of the potential for parental alienation by a parent who has a mental illness. Your attorney can help you determine how to address these issues when making decisions about child custody and visitation, including whether you should request a mental health evaluation or ask that your ex's parenting time be restricted or supervised.
• Property division - Marital assets should be divided fairly and equitably between spouses, regardless of any marital misconduct that occurred because of mental health issues. However, substance abuse or gambling addiction may have led your spouse to dissipate assets, and you should be sure to understand how this behavior will affect decisions about the division of property.
• Spousal maintenance - You should be aware that if your ex-spouse is unable to maintain employment because of a diagnosed mental illness, you may be required to pay spousal support to help them meet their financial needs. However, if your spouse earns a higher income, and they have damaged your financial situation because of their behavior, they may be required to pay you alimony following your divorce.
• Emergency situations - If you are concerned about your family's immediate safety because of your former partner's mental health or substance abuse, you should take steps to receive an order of protection.

Contact an Orland Park Family Law Attorney

Mental illnesses and addictions can make a divorce case incredibly complicated. These issues may cause you to worry about your children's safety and well-being, they can affect your finances, or they may simply make negotiations more difficult as you work to reach a divorce settlement. The skilled divorce lawyers at Wakenight & Associates, P.C. can help you understand the best ways to address these concerns, and we will provide you with representation in court proceedings, ensuring that your rights and financial interests are protected.

If you expect mental health or addictions to play a role in your divorce, contact us today at 815-727-6144 to arrange a free consultation. We represent divorcing spouses in Mokena, New Lenox, Frankfort, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Homer Glen, Lockport, Joliet, and Will County.