Oak Park Divorce Lawyer For Cases Involving Mental Illness 

Attorneys Assisting With Divorces Involving Addictions or Mental Health Issues in Chicago

Divorce is rarely an easy process, but it can be especially difficult when either spouse suffers from a mental illness. The avalanche of legal issues and personal concerns can make this process difficult for anyone, but dealing with mental health concerns during this time can make things much more complicated. If a spouse's substance abuse also enters the picture, this can cause disagreements to escalate to the point where a family's safety is at risk. In order to ensure that these issues are handled correctly, it is essential to have experienced legal representation on your side.

The attorneys of Wakenight & Associates, P.C. have been working in the field of family law for more than 95 combined years, and we know how to address the issues involved in high conflict divorce cases. If you are trying to determine whether to raise the issue of mental health during your divorce, or if you need to take immediate action to protect your safety, we will advocate for your rights and interests throughout the divorce process.

Mental Health Concerns During Divorce

In some cases, you may be able to resolve your differences with your spouse amicably, without the need to bring up mental health during the divorce process. However, a spouse who suffers from a mental illness will likely act in a manner that you find unreasonable, and if their behavior rises to the level of harassment or abuse, you may need to take steps to obtain an order of protection to ensure that you and your family members are safe.

Even if your immediate safety is not threatened, issues with mental health or addiction can also affect other aspects of your divorce, including:

• Asset dissipation - If your spouse spent marital funds in pursuit of alcohol, drug, or gambling addictions, this may be considered dissipation of assets, and they may be required to reimburse you for this dissipation.
• Child-related issues - If you have concerns about your children being exposed to substance abuse while they are in your spouse's care, you may be able to request that their parenting time be supervised or that they be restricted from consuming any drugs or alcohol during their parenting time. In these cases, you will likely need to provide evidence showing that your ex's alcohol or drug abuse is a danger to your children. If necessary, you may also ask for a mental health evaluation to ensure that your ex-spouse will be able to perform their parental duties.
• Spousal support - If addictions or mental health issues during your marriage have caused your ex-spouse to struggle to maintain a steady job and support themselves, they may ask for financial support from you following divorce, including assistance paying for treatment. In these cases, your attorney can advocate for your rights and financial interests in decisions about alimony.

Contact a Cook County High Conflict Divorce Attorney

Mental health issues can create a great deal of conflict and difficulty during divorce. When dealing with these matters, it is essential to have an experienced legal advocate on your side. Our lawyers can ensure that your rights are protected, and we can address your concerns about your family's safety, helping you reach a positive outcome to your case. To arrange a free consultation, contact us today at 708-480-9651. We assist with high conflict divorce cases in Oak Park, Chicago, Riverside, Maybrook, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Skokie, Cicero, Forest Park, and Berwyn.