Pregnant and Divorcing: You CAN Endure This Nightmare
Pregnancy is supposed to be a joyful time. You and your partner are bringing new life into this world. But what if instead of painting your baby’s room and picking out names, you’re moving out and selecting a divorce lawyer? It’s an awful situation that creates stress and anxiety. What do you do and what are your responsibilities? Read on to learn about how to handle divorce during pregnancy.
Get the Support You Need
Pregnancy and divorce can both create emotional upheaval, and going through them at the same time can be overwhelming. Turn to supportive friends or family members. These people will help you through the challenges of your pregnancy and of the end of your marriage. They can be with you during doctor’s appointments or when you need someone to listen.
It may also be a good idea to find a therapist who can provide a nonjudgmental, supportive environment to work through your issues and reaffirm your decisions. Even if you’re sure divorce is the best decision, you will still experience doubts. You may need help figuring out how to manage life as a single parent. Because you and your ex will share a child, you will remain in a relationship even after the divorce. Sorting through your emotions and issues with a therapist could help you establish an amicable co-parenting relationship with your ex.
A support group can be invaluable during this time, too, to give you the confidence to move forward as well as provide practical advice about single parenthood.
Take Care of Yourself
During this process, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself. You need to stay healthy and strong, not just for your baby, but also to ensure you can get through this challenge.
While you’re pregnant, make the effort to eat well, be active, and get enough sleep. Activities like massages, spending time with supportive friends, and talking to a mental health professional can help your manage your emotions and relieve your stress. You are creating a new life for yourself and your unborn baby, so look to include activities you enjoy.
Take Care of Your Baby’s Future
Your ex has the right and responsibility to be involved in your baby’s life. So in addition to negotiating the terms of your divorce, the two of you need to work out a parenting agreement. The agreement will cover such issues as living and custodial arrangements, child support payments, and access. You’ll want to decide now how major decisions affecting your child will be made—jointly or by one of you—and how much time each of you will spend with the child. If your circumstances change in the future—suppose one of you remarries or moves to a different city—you’ll want to have some plan in place to address that.
Even if you and your ex can amicably decide on the parenting agreement, it’s important to get expert legal advice. Lawyers can advise you on important issues or considerations you might not be aware of.
Know What Your Legal Rights Are
Ensuring that your rights–and the rights of your unborn child–are respected is where a legal expert can help. A family lawyer can give you the facts, work to protect your rights, and help you navigate the intricacies of family law during this difficult time. Beyond the division of assets and other terms of divorce, a lawyer can also ensure that your baby’s future is protected and that the proper plans are in place to foster a relationship between the baby and its father.
Choose a Trusted Divorce Expert
Being pregnant while going through a divorce can test the limits of your fortitude. That’s why it’s important to find a family lawyer whose expert knowledge in divorce law can guide you through this process.
Fine & Associates Professional Corporation is a well-respected Toronto Law Firm that prides itself on providing quality personal service and favourable outcomes in Family Law and Divorce Law.
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