Living with a financially irresponsible spouse can be stressful, and if you eventually reach your breaking point you might want to know whether or not divorce is an option. It is an option, and it might be your best one. If you are tired of worrying about your financial future, scheduling a consultation with our Sparta divorce attorneys should be your best move.
Can I Divorce My Spouse Just Because They Are Financially Irresponsible?
Yes, as long as you meet residency requirements and other state requirements, you can divorce a spouse because they are financially irresponsible. In New Jersey, you can opt for a no-fault divorce and say that there is simply no way to reconcile your differences. If you cannot live with your spouse’s spending and irresponsibility and they refuse to adjust their behavior, then this is completely true. You are not going to be able to continue living together if your partner is throwing your financial future away.
How Can a Financially Irresponsible Spouse Affect a Marriage?
A financially irresponsible spouse affects marriage in all sorts of ways. Your spouse’s behavior is likely to cause you plenty of stress and sleepless nights. You may go without certain necessities because of a lack of money or a worry that your spouse’s bad habits will catch up with you.
When you have children, this kind of situation can be even more stressful. How are you supposed to pay for college or provide for your children in the future when your financially irresponsible spouse only thinks of the best ways to blow money in the present?
Do I Have to Take on a Former Spouse’s Debts After a Divorce?
Debt is actually like any money made or investment grown during a marriage. If you acquired it during marriage, then it is often split up equitably in a divorce just like any other asset would be. So does this mean that you will be stuck with your irresponsible spouse’s debt?
In most cases, no. The court should be able to differentiate a debt that was used for the family, like a home improvement loan or credit cards used to pay for back-to-school clothes, and a debt run up by just one spouse. Our lawyers can argue on your behalf and do our best to secure a fair division of property agreement that won’t put you on the hook for your spouse’s mistakes.
How Can a Divorce Attorney Help Me?
Your divorce attorney can help you fight for the best possible outcome at every phase of this process. They can:
- Gather evidence showing that your spouse is financially irresponsible
- Answer any questions that you have about the legal process
- Negotiate for the best possible property distribution deal
- Interview witnesses
- Prepare you for testimony
Having an experienced divorce lawyer at your side can be helpful in so many different ways.
Call and Schedule a Consultation
If you are ready to move forward and divorce a spouse who has nothing to offer you but financial stress, contact Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC. We can schedule a consultation and tell you more about how our lawyers can help you navigate this process.