Divorce is rarely an easy process. That said, it’s often a necessary one. The experience of getting a divorce may not always be pleasant, but taking certain steps throughout the process, such as hiring the right divorce attorney, can greatly reduce the stress you might face.
Unfortunately, there are also numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding divorce. Common examples include the following:
There are various reasons some people are reluctant to move forward with divorce even if doing so may be for the best. For example, some men are afraid that they will inevitably lose custody of their children if they get a divorce. They believe that women always receive custody of the children when a marriage ends.
This isn’t the case. The goal of the court is to determine what type of custody arrangement is in the best interests of the child. Because a parent’s gender is an irrelevant factor, courts won’t account for it in California when making determinations about custody.
The idea that mothers always get custody may be a holdover from a time when it was more common for a wife to stay home and raise the children while a father worked. In such circumstances, a woman might be granted custody of the children because she would have a closer relationship with them.
Times have changed. Now, it’s much more common for both men and women to work. This shift in roles has yielded a potential shift in custody arrangement trends.
Another reason someone may hesitate to initiate the divorce process is due to a misunderstanding about how California’s divorce laws work. For example, perhaps you believe that you must prove your spouse engaged in some form of wrongdoing, such as infidelity, to justify getting a divorce.
That’s not the case. California, like many other states, is a no-fault divorce state. That means a spouse doesn’t need to prove any form of wrongdoing to get a divorce; they can simply get a divorce because the marriage has broken down and it does not appear to be fixable.
Some people make the mistake of staying together for their children. This may be admirable, as their hearts are in the right place, but it’s not always actually the wisest choice. Yes, while their parents are going through a divorce, children might struggle, but overall, it can be worse for kids to grow up in an environment where neither parent is happy with their relationship.
All that said, every divorce is different. One of the best ways you can ensure yours runs smoothly is by hiring a lawyer qualified to serve your needs.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi. To learn more about what an experienced Westlake Village divorce attorney can do for you, contact us online or call us at 805-379-4550.
