Why Do Men Have a Harder Time Coping with Divorce?

Divorce is hard for everyone involved, including children. However, for a long time, the legal system and society have focused more on the impact of divorce on women, forgetting that men have a more challenging time coping with the aftermath. The difference is that men tend to bottle up their emotions and engage in other activities to mask their pain and frustration.

If you’re a man going through a divorce, be prepared to face a potentially problematic future. However, divorce lawyers from a reputable Germantown law firm explain the key issues men face in divorce and how to deal with them. They form the basis upon which you should hire an attorney to work with you to protect your rights.

Proving Paternity

Divorce becomes more complicated if children are involved because you and your ex-spouse must agree on custody and child support. Before creating the agreement, you must prove you’re the children’s father. One way to do this is by signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity Form if you agree you are the father and are happy to take on the responsibility.

If there is doubt about paternity or your ex-spouse denies you being the children’s father, you must do a paternity test. The results provide clear proof, but the process can be expensive. Consult experienced Germantown fathers’ rights attorneys to find out how the results of a paternity test can affect the outcome of your divorce.

Getting Custody

Child custody is an emotional topic for many fathers going through a divorce. Any loving and caring father wants to see their children thrive through a loving relationship with their parents. With the proper custody arrangement, that is often a possibility for the children, but child custody issues are never easy, and fathers seeking custody become frustrated by the system.

Mothers are usually given primary custody of the children regardless of the family situation. Judges wrongfully believe that children are better off with their mothers. But while these intentions may be admirable, they are based on outdated gender stereotypes.

The truth is that relationships are complex, and both men and women can be great primary custodians of their children after divorce. Passionate fathers’ rights attorneys in Germantown, MD, can fight to ensure your custody rights are protected.

Child Support and Custody Entitlement

It’s not uncommon for fathers’ rights lawyers in Maryland to hear the question, “I’m paying child support, so shouldn’t I have a right to see the children whenever I want?” Unfortunately, the law doesn’t legally connect child support payment and the right to see your child because it’s not a way to “buy” parenting time.

However, many ex-spouses deny fathers the right to see their children when the child support payment doesn’t come through. Others withhold visitation rights to demand more child support than the court ordered. Even if you don’t make child support payments on time, you’re still entitled to the custody or visitation plan outlined in the final decree.

If you’ve been denied time with your child based on non-payment of child support, contact Germantown fathers’ rights lawyers for legal counsel and representation as soon as possible. However, ensure you continue paying child support until the issue is addressed to avoid facing legal sanctions

Agreeing on Alimony

Divorce is emotionally and financially stressful for men, mainly because most women automatically ask for alimony during the divorce. Fathers are more likely to have a higher-paying job than their spouses, so they may be the ones to pay alimony.

Nonetheless, alimony isn’t automatic, and courts consider many factors before awarding spousal support, whether interim or rehabilitative. These factors include:

  • The length of the marriage
  • The marital property each party is entitled to
  • Each spouse’s separate property
  • Each party’s wage-earning capacity, based on age, health, education, and work capacity
  • Each person’s liabilities after the distribution of marital property
  • The primary custodian of the children
  • Other equitable factors under the circumstances of the marriage

If the court determines that you can help your ex-spouse maintain the lifestyle they enjoyed during the marriage because you earn more than they do, you may be required to pay alimony.

However, the court won’t require you to pay alimony if it determines you will become financially constrained. Contact experienced fathers’ rights lawyers in Germantown if you’re concerned about your spouse’s request for maintenance. They may not be justified in their request simply because you were their husband if your financial status doesn’t allow you to meet the demand.

Do Men Going Through Divorce Face Mental Health Issues?

Divorce can cause severe mental and physical health issues for men. Insomnia, weight fluctuations, depression, and anxiety are men’s most frequent health issues after divorce. They also struggle to find a way to cope with identity issues, having lost their husband and family-man status, which results in high blood pressure and stroke.

If you’re going through such a situation, consider finding help from a therapist or counselor. Working out your issues in a safe space enables you to deal with them constructively, protecting your health from deteriorating. You’ll also be less likely to display negative emotions during divorce, which can help you achieve a more favorable outcome.

A Reputable Law Firm Protecting Fathers’ Interests in Divorce

If you’re a man going through a divorce, you may struggle with various legal and personal issues, including child support and custody, alimony, and mental health issues. Divorce attorneys from a reputable Germantown law firm can help you get through the process with less stress and anxiety while fighting to protect your rights as a father.

Our law firm provides legal counsel and representation for men with family matters. Our fathers’ rights attorneys in Germantown can fight to ensure you’re treated right and fairly throughout the divorce process. Call Paré & Associates, LLC at (301) 515-1190, and let us help you resolve issues in a manner that reduces stress for you and your children.