Sadly, many marriages end in divorce. If you are a resident of Arkansas who is dealing with alcoholism in your marriage, that might be your best option. You should have the facts about alcoholism and divorce and how you can stay safe as you transition to ending your marriage.
How to stay safe when divorcing an alcoholic
Divorce is never easy, but it can present particular challenges when your spouse is an alcoholic. You will be under more stress as it is, but if your spouse is abusive, it can be even worse. If your spouse has a history of being physically abusive, you will want to find a safe place for you and your children. You may be able to find a safe haven when informing the court that your spouse is an alcoholic. You may be issued an order of protection.
How does the court deal with alcohol abuse during a divorce?
The court takes alcoholism in the family very seriously. This is especially true if children are involved. During your divorce, the court will look into random alcohol testing and whether your spouse is getting treatment for their addiction. If your spouse sways in any way or violates any potential protective orders, the court will take that seriously. This can impact what happens with your divorce and child custody.
Additionally, as Arkansas is a fault state, you can file for divorce on grounds of physical abuse if your alcoholic spouse is indeed abusive. The court will take that seriously and may reconsider giving them certain privileges if they have a criminal background on top of that.
What if there are children involved?
If your marriage produced children, they are a main factor surrounding what happens during the divorce proceedings. You and your spouse probably argue about what will happen with the kids if you split. You can take comfort in knowing that the court will always consider what’s in the child’s best interest when making any decisions for child custody.
When you are divorcing an alcoholic, safety should be your number one priority. It’s essential to learn about all the options available for you and your children from the court as your divorce proceeds.