RSSAugust, 2013 - Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog Archive
Finding the Divorce Lawyer Who is Right for You
Divorcees often have misconceptions about the representation they should get for their divorce case. Some believe the gender of an attorney plays an important role; supposedly, men make more aggressive lawyers while women are better at compromise. Others believe there are very specific approaches that see more success in the courtroom. For example, a divorcee might prefer an attorney with a meaner approach over a “nice guy” attorney. However, these ideas are all far from the truth.
There is no such thing as the perfect approach. There is no one perfect “type” of attorney.
Divorce for Gay Couples a Costly and Complicated Process
Gay couples have faced great challenges over the years trying to legalize gay marriage in their respective states. The Supreme Court’s decision in June to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act provided a watershed moment for many gay couples who hoped to someday be granted the same privileges as straight couples. Although the battle is far from over for those who seek marriage equality, much progress has been made. However, one surprising new issue has cropped up that adds a whole new layer to the marriage equality debate: divorce.
The Problem of Location
Gay marriage was legalized for the first time in Massachusetts in 2004. Since then, 12 more states and the District of Columbia have done the same. The majority of the United States still does not recognize gay marriage. Consequently, gay couples are often forced to travel to other states, outside of where they work and live, to get married.
Since a couple’s divorce is usually granted by the state of which they are residents, gay couples living in states in which gay marriage is not recognized may not be able to get a divorce. They also can’t simply travel to another state to file the divorce since many states require at least a six-month minimum stay in order to qualify for residential status.
Recovery from a Divorce May Take Longer than Expected
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, experts in the field of psychiatry say most people need two years to recover from an emotional trauma like divorce. Those who were blindsided by the traumatic occurrence — the sudden and often unexpected departure of a spouse, for example — may take even longer to get back on their feet.
A divorce brings about a dramatic shift in life, and it is perfectly natural for divorcees to take their time gathering themselves. Prudence Gourguechon, former president of the American Psychoanalytic Association, says that divorcees should make peace with the length of the process. This way, they’ll be able to relax and fully engage in their recovery.
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