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June 27, 2018

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On behalf of The Powell Law Firm

| Divorce

The Challenges of Divorcing an Addict

Going through a divorce is never easy. Even in the most stable and amicable of situations, a divorce can be deeply emotionally challenging. Of course, many people who are going through a divorce are not doing it in the best possible circumstances. Often, divorce occurs in incredibly difficult and challenging times.

One common example is people who have come to the realization that they need to protect themselves and their family by divorcing an addict. No matter the nature of a person’s addiction, whether it is drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, or something else, it can create tremendous hardship on their friends and family members. If you are divorcing an addict, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced Texas divorce lawyer.

You Need to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Addiction can take a toll on families in many different ways. To start, an addict simply cannot be a source of stability. Addiction makes a person an unreliable partner. The drive to fill the needs of the addiction is almost always the strongest urge in an addict’s life.

If an addict is a parent, they almost certainly will not be able to properly fill the responsibility. Indeed, their behavior may even make them wholly unfit to care for, or even be around, young children. Further, most addictions are financially devastating. While some addicts can hold down jobs, many others cannot. And they will usually drain their bank account (and your bank account) in order to feed their addiction.

Evidence of Addiction Can Have a Major Impact on Family Law Cases

If you are married to an addict, you need to secure evidence of the addiction. You should then contact an experienced Pearland divorce attorney. Addiction can have a major impact on a family law case.

  • First, in terms of child custody and child support, evidence of addiction can be good cause to obtain sole custody.

  • Next, under the Texas Family Code, addiction may potentially provide grounds for an at-fault divorce. While you cannot get a fault-based divorce simply due to an addiction, in many cases, an addict’s conduct will meet the standards.

  • Finally, an addict can damage your finances. In some cases, this may involve draining your money and ruining your credit.

Divorce will help you protect yourself going forward and allow you to best sort out your finances.

You Can Still Support Your Former Partner After a Divorce

Every divorce is different. In some cases, you may be ready to leave the addict behind forever. You may need to get them out of your life for your own health and well-being. In other cases, you may still want to provide some basic support for the addict, but you may no longer be able to continue the marriage. Either scenario is entirely understandable and acceptable. Ultimately, a divorce does not always mean the end of a relationship. You can still provide basic support, especially emotional support, to your former partner after a divorce. However, you need to make sure that your finances, your rights, your children, and your good name are fully protected.

Speak to a Brazoria County Divorce Attorney Today

At the office of The Powell Law Firm, our Texas divorce lawyers have skills and experience needed to help people get through even the most challenging of marital separations. If you are divorcing an addict, please contact us today for the high quality legal representation you deserve. We serve clients throughout Brazoria County, including in Pearland, Alvin, Angleton, Lake Jackson, West Columbia and Freeport.

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