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Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC.
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Is My Chicago Divorce Avoidable? What To Do If Your Spouse Wants Out But You Want To Stay In

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The subject of divorce is hardly a fun one for anyone. The separating of the family unit, uprooting of lives and living situations, and changes in finances, parenting arrangements, and pet routines can all add up to a difficult and tense situation for anyone. The situation may be even worse, however, when a person is blindsided by their partner seeking divorce as an option to end the relationship and marriage. When a person is caught off-guard with the idea of getting a divorce from their spouse, they may wonder if there is anything that they can do to avoid getting a divorce and repair their marriage. Although sometimes there is no amount of convincing that can change a person’s mind once it is made up, there are some options for couples who may give their marriage one last shot in an effort to officially start the Chicago dissolution of marriage process. Two options that Chicago couples might try before initiating divorce proceedings are couples counseling and a trial separation period.

Couples Counseling Before Initiating a Chicago Divorce

Couples counseling may be an option for couples to try before initiating Chicago dissolution of marriage proceedings. When couples experience problems within their marriage, they sometimes seek out the help of a professional couples counselor. A couples counselor can help pinpoint specific issues in the marriage and between the couples and can help couples understand why these problems arise and how to troubleshoot them. Importantly, couples counseling differs from marriage counseling in that typically marriage counseling is attended by newly married spouses or couples before they even get married, while couples counseling deals with the couples’ relationship typically after the couple has been together for some time.

Trial Separation Before Initiating a Chicago Divorce

A trial separation is another option that couples who are having difficulties and who are thinking of initiating a divorce may want to try before pulling the trigger on divorce proceedings. A trial separation is an agreement between the two spouses that they will live separately and essentially act as if they are divorced to trial what it would be like to actually be divorced. Typically, the agreement between the spouses is entirely informal without the intervention of the courts, judges, or legal system. A trial separation may help a couple stay together, at least in the short term and perhaps in the long term, if the couple determines that they prefer their married life over their life during the separation period.

Initiating or Responding to a Chicago Divorce Filing

Sometimes no amount of trial and effort will repair a marriage that is broken. In that case, divorce may be the best and only option for a couple experiencing irreconcilable problems. If one party has already filed for divorce, it is important for the non-filing party to respond to legal documents and be timely with regard to any deadlines. It is also best to speak to an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer about your rights and options to protect your interests throughout the divorce proceedings. The skilled and experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC, offer a confidential consultation to discuss your Chicago divorce and to see if they can help represent you. Contact the law offices of Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC, today and speak to a lawyer about your rights.

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