Stress in Family Law

Stress, mental health issues can accompany a family law dispute

Many people are aware of the property-related impact a divorce can have. But what effect does this financial and personal stress have on other aspects of a person’s health and well-being? Many people in Alberta are impacted by a family law dispute, and it is important to understand how this may affect the mental health of those involved.

According to the Vanier Institute of the Family, the average Canadian marriage clocks in at just under 14 years, and about 40 percent of marriages in the country end before the 20th anniversary. This indicates that divorces are not uncommon in the country. This may not be new information, but the context in which these divorces take place has changed fairly substantially. A tough housing market, high debt loads and increased instances of inter-family loans make the financial impact of a divorce more extreme than ever for Alberta divorcees.

Financial stress can have a significant impact on mental health regardless of how it comes about. Recent studies show that those with debt stress are at higher risk for serious mental health problems. Individuals who acted as homemakers or stay-at-home parents during their marriages are at particular risk of feeling significant stress and uncertainty during this process.

One of the most important ways to avoid financial stress during a family law dispute is to ensure that property is divided in an equitable way. It is also helpful to have a team of friends, family and professionals on hand to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. An Alberta family lawyer is an important person to include early on to reduce the risk of an unfair agreement and the stress that comes with it.

Related Posts: Understanding home ownership and property rights in a divorce, Travelling without children during a family law dispute, Set boundaries and rules to protect kids from child custody drama, Protecting credit amidst a family law dispute