Many studies have been done that reveal that many couples stay in unhappy marriages instead of leaving. There are a number of reasons why they stay. Some stay because they think it is better for their children. Others stay because they still hope they will be able to work things out with their spouse.

Regardless of the reason why someone stays in an unhappy marriage, once they do decide to leave, the majority of people do not regret their decision after time and distance has given them a chance to heal.

Several years ago, there was a major overhaul to Illinois family law statutes. This included the statute that addressed child custody. Part of that change involved eliminating the phrase child custody and replacing it with the phrase “allocation of parental responsibilities.” When parents are splitting up, they must either come to an agreement – or the court will decide for them – about which parent is responsible for making certain decisions for the child, including which religion the child will be brought up in.

How Family Law Impacts Religious Upbringing

It can be difficult to choose a religion for a child. This is particularly true if parents go through the divorce process when a child is young and has not yet begun partaking in a certain religion. Religion can also be difficult in a divorced family when a child grows up and becomes more involved in a religion. For instance, religion may play a role in where a child attends school. Religious activities and events may also interfere with parenting time.

The long-term financial impacts of divorce can be expensive. If both spouses worked during the marriage, they will now be going from two incomes to one, with their collective income now supporting two sets of living expenses, as well as funding two separate savings and retirement accounts. Essentially, removing the financial stability of a dual income home. However, planning ahead can help. If you are considering a divorce, many financial advisors and attorneys suggest taking the following steps, so you are on firmer financial ground if and when you decide to file.

Financial Steps To Take During a Divorce

Gather Documents - It is critical to know what your current financial standing is, especially if it has been your spouse who has been the one to primarily handle household expenses. The first step is to obtain all copies of any bank accounts and investments statements for the past year. If you and your spouse own property or vehicles, you also want to make sure you have copies of any deeds and/or titles.