As a soon-to-be parent, one of the things you never thought you’d hear yourself say is that you want to get a divorce. After you said the words and thought about the implications for yourself and your child, you grieved over the situation. But at the end of the day, you still believe it’s the right decision.
Divorcing during pregnancy isn’t always easy, and in some states, you may not be able to. States including Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas may not allow it at all. Comparatively, you may find it harder to get a divorce during your pregnancy because of the potential for having the child during the waiting period for the divorce. Many people simply wait until the child is born to decide what to do next.
Handling a difficult decision during pregnancy
There is no easy way to decide if divorce is right for you unless you’re a victim of abuse. If you’re not sure about your decision, it’s better to take some time to think about it clearly. Surround yourself with people who can help you. You may wish to talk to a therapist privately before embarking on a divorce, or you may want to try something like couples counseling to work through your marital problems.
Divorce is always an option, but you should do all you can to attempt to save your marriage first. Your child is coming into the world, and having two parents in the home may be a healthier choice. Everyone’s situation varies, but if you and your spouse can agree to work on your relationship, then you may not need to worry about going through a divorce while pregnant.
Getting a divorce while pregnant
If you do decide to get a divorce while you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to choose a legal team with whom you are very comfortable. This is not the time to settle for just anyone who will take your case. You need to learn all that you can about the custody rights of you and your husband after your child’s birth. Custody arrangements for an newborn child may be significantly different than arrangements for a child who is already two or three years old, so it’s necessary to explore all of your legal options for the present and for the future.