Your spouse asks you for a divorce, and your response is simple: “No.” You’re not interested in ending the marriage. You made a commitment, and you want to stick to it. You expect the same from your spouse. You want to try to work it out.
Can your spouse move forward without you and seek a divorce anyway? Or do you have some say in this?
Under modern divorce laws, you do not have any say. You can ask your spouse not to get a divorce or to try counseling, of course. You can tell them that you want to stay together. You can explain to them that you’re willing to make it work.
However, you cannot deny their request for a divorce. They don’t need your permission. They can file for divorce whether you agree to it. Even if you don’t respond to the filing, and you refuse to cooperate, they can still get the divorce.
The best option for you, as hard as this may be, is simply to accept it. You need to wrap your head around the idea that your marriage may not go the way you want it to. Once you do this, then you can start looking into your rights and your legal options.
After all, this allows you to plan for the future. You cannot stop the divorce, but you can still work hard to secure a positive future for yourself and your children. You can fight for your rights. Try to put all of your emotional energy into this process, and you’ll thank yourself after the divorce.
