If you are going through divorce for the first time, it feels unfamiliar and scary. You may have no idea how divorce works, especially in a case when the divorce is contested. If you find yourself believing any of these common myths associated with divorce, you may want to speak with a divorce lawyer to learn about your real options.
Myth #1: You can deny visitation to a spouse who failed to pay child support.
Truth: You may have to go to court to enforce child support payments, but this does not mean you can threaten your ex-spouse with lack of visitation. However, a court may decide to lower custody payments for those who do not receive visitation as ordered.
Myth #2: If you cheated, you have to pay up.
Truth: Actually, this is not always the case. Simply committing adultery does not mean that one loses access to their home, finances, or children. This does not mean that the spouse who did not cheat walks away no financial gain though. Many times, the cheating party feels guilty or has done something else to warrant paying the non-cheating spouse funds. For instance, it could be that the cheating spouse spent a significant amount of money on the other person.
Myth #3: Mom always gets custody of the children.
Truth: Actually, no. Both parents can obtain custody of the child depending on the best interests of the child. Additionally, sometimes children have a say in the court case regarding where they would like to live. Additionally, courts often award custody to mothers because they tend to be home spending time with them. Fathers are often working or not the main person in charge of caring for the children.
Myth #4: Men can’t receive alimony or spousal support.
Truth: Based on economic scenarios, men and women both often receive spousal support following divorce. As women increasingly become the breadwinners of the family, this becomes much more common.
The best thing you can do is to speak with an attorney regarding your divorce. You likely have plenty of options that you have never even considered. If you still have questions about divorce, contact us to learn more about your options.
