Are Children a Reason to Stay Married?
Remaining in an unhappy marriage might seem like a selfless act if you and your spouse have kids. However, it might be the opposite of what you should do. Divorce may be the best solution for your family.
Edina Divorce Attorney
The experienced divorce and family law attorney at Morris Law Group, P.A. believes that relationships matter, regardless of whether a client is deciding to divorce, navigate a decree, manage asset and debt division, or work out child custody and visitation arrangements. Our Edina law firm provides personalized, compassionate, and cost-effective legal services. Call us today for a free consultation 952.832.2000. You also can fill out our contact form here.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
According to Psychology Today, a good percentage of people are at least somewhat unhappy in their marriages. While the reasons vary, the article cites researchers who have found that couples are learning as time goes on that their relationships aren’t what they had dreamed they would be.
As the author writes:
“While the actual number of discontented varies and the data is hard to pin down exactly, it seems clear that “happily ever after” is less common than we would like to believe.”
Parents likely feel guilty for wanting to break up the family, worrying that their children will suffer and grow into unhappy adults who are less accomplished than if their parents had put their own needs aside and simply stuck it out. However, family law attorneys agree that for many children, divorce can be a good thing. Instead of growing up listening to their parents fight – or at the very least witnessing a loveless marriage – children of divorce can learn that sometimes things don’t work out – but life and happiness goes on. Their parents can co-parent and even remarry, bringing in more love and a larger family unit into their lives. Children can remain well-adjusted, centered, and understanding that their parents love them even if they didn’t always love each other. And in most cases, their romantic relationships as adults will be stronger than had they grown up in a marriage where their parents were miserable, but together.
Bottom line? For most kids, a good divorce is much better than a bad marriage.
Divorce in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a divorce is called a “Dissolution of Marriage”. The state offers what is known as a “no-fault” divorce process. This means that either spouse can file for divorce without having to prove fault to the Court.
In Minnesota, you only need to allege there’s an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage, This means the marriage is broken beyond repair there is no chance the couple will get back together. .
Child Custody in Minnesota
There are a two types of child custody arrangements in Minnesota under state law:
- “Legal custody” refers to the right to make decisions about how to raise the child, including decisions about education, health care, and religious training.
- “Physical Custody” refers to the right to make decisions about the routine day-to-day activities of the child and where the child lives.
Parents may also share custody, which is often called “joint” physical and/or legal custody. Or, one of them may have “sole” physical and/or legal custody.
“Joint legal custody” means that both parents share the responsibility for making decisions regarding how to raise the child, including the right to participate in major decisions about the child’s education, health care, and religious training.
“Joint physical custody” means that the routine daily care and control and the residence of the child is structured between both of the parents.
Considering Divorce?
Let’s face it: Divorce is hard, with or without children in the picture. If you’re in an unhappy marriage and would like to explore your options, we can help. And remember, your first consultation is free.
About Morris Law Group
At Morris Law Group, we don’t just counsel our clients. We invest in them.
Our attorneys have been serving the Edina and Twin Cities communities since 1974. Our attorneys provide personalized, cost-effective legal services to clients seeking help in real estate, business development, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, loan modification, debt reorganization, personal injury claims, family law, and other matters.
Our experienced attorneys believe that relationships matter, whether a client is trying to get through a divorce, buy real estate, file a personal injury claim, declare bankruptcy, navigate a purchase agreement, get a business off the ground, or dissolve a partnership. Our lawyers appear regularly in state and federal court, in administrative hearings, and in various alternative dispute resolution forums, including mediation and arbitration.
Morris Law Group is a highly-skilled Minnesota law firm for all of your real estate, business, bankruptcy, and family law, personal injury legal needs. We advocate for our clients with professionalism, vigor, and with a results-driven approach.
Morris Law Group, P.A. an Edina, MN based law firm serving the Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Western Wisconsin, Twin Cities Minnesota metro area.
Let’s get started today! For more information or to book a free consultation, call (612) 895-1629 or email info@morrislawgroup.com. You also can fill out our confidential contact form.