When a marriage ends, a couple in Ontario often has an idea that their relationship is beginning to fall apart. However, in some cases, one party is taken completely by surprise as the other person suddenly leaves the family home with no warning of any type.
The party who is left in the residence needs to be prepared and should arm themselves with a thorough knowledge of family law. If they have been out of the work force for a while because they were raising children while their spouse provided support, retaining the services of a seasoned lawyer becomes even more important. Some people in this situation sit back, relax and hope for the best.
However, the spouse has shown that they probably are not making decisions that are in the best interests of the family. The other spouse needs to go on the offense and arm themselves with knowledge so that they can approach the situation with as much information as possible. Even if they decide they do not want a divorce, they should be aware of their rights.
If the couple is technically separated and staying in two different locations, they will need legal documentation to establish the new parameters of their relationship. This will include specific details related to child support, alimony and property division. In addition to retaining legal advice, the feelings of rejection or abandonment can be particularly upsetting. Personal counseling might also help and could motivate the person to take a proactive stance as the marriage ends, which might put them in a better position during divorce negotiations. Even when it’s expected, the end of a marriage can be difficult. A family lawyer might be able to help a client prepare a fair divorce settlement.
Source: The Record, “Talk to a lawyer after husband’s arbitrary move“, Ellie Tesher, May 15, 2014