Divorce is a legal and highly emotional process to end a marriage. Often, that awful “D” word can cause panic attacks and sleepless nights among fathers who are dealing with it.
Common challenges that father’s face include understanding the divorce process itself while dealing with society’s deep-rooted biases, misconceptions, and misinformation. Society has made steady progress; however, there’s still a long, winding road ahead to educate people about the hurdles fathers must overcome in divorce, which include:
- Society’s bias that the mother is “naturally” more capable and competent to care for the children of the marriage. This means fathers who claim custody during divorce are often overlooked.
- Fathers must “suck it up” and hide their emotions, while mothers freely express their emotions by crying and communicating their fears and frustrations with family, friends, and court staff.
- The assumption that mothers are automatically entitled to spousal support after a marriage breaks down.
- Mothers who prevent or withhold children from having parenting time with their fathers are generally considered to “know best” and are “justified.”
- Mothers should automatically get the matrimonial home.
Fathers should seriously consider hiring a divorce attorney to guide them through the complexities of the process. Divorce attorneys provide valuable legal advice about family law issues such as custody (decision-making responsibility), access (parenting time), division of net family property, child support, and spousal support.
A divorce attorney can also help negotiate settlements by providing expertise in:
- Preparing Separation Agreements for fathers and mothers to resolve issues such as the primary residence of children, life insurance policies, and travel consent. Separation Agreements are domestic contracts, which are legally binding. Both parties who sign the Separation Agreement must comply with its terms and conditions.
- Representing clients at mediation to help narrow and resolve the core disputed family law issues.
- Preparing Offers to Settle and Minutes of Settlement, which can become a temporary or final court order.
- Recommending reputable psychologists and therapists who can assist fathers with anxiety, depression, sadness, and other emotional challenges.
Loyens Law (DAD LAW) has an experienced, capable team of family/divorce lawyers in Mississauga who have the expertise to help fathers with the divorce process by advocating for a just solution. We are ready and willing to help. Contact us now!
