[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/divorce-after-a-health-scare-or-illness\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/divorce-after-a-health-scare-or-illness\/","headline":"Divorce After a Health Scare or Illness","name":"Divorce After a Health Scare or Illness","description":"Divorce can be a time for major upheaval in your life. A divorce can result in changes to your living situation, support system, time with your children, and financial status. However, major life changes can also be the catalyst for deciding to get separated or divorced. Major life events, like suffering a terminal illness, recovering...","datePublished":"2019-10-24","dateModified":"2025-12-13","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/author\/joshvalentine\/#Person","name":"Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC","url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/author\/joshvalentine\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/59a8c7db8986bb59b244a84f92fdcc82cc219363084d68db67334e89ddd79836?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/59a8c7db8986bb59b244a84f92fdcc82cc219363084d68db67334e89ddd79836?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/caulder-and-valentine-law-form-logo-2x-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/caulder-and-valentine-law-form-logo-2x-1.png","width":766,"height":142}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/caulder-valentine.png","url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/caulder-valentine.png","width":718,"height":672},"url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/divorce-after-a-health-scare-or-illness\/","about":["Divorce"],"wordCount":479,"articleBody":"Divorce can be a time for major upheaval in your life. A divorce can result in changes to your living situation, support system, time with your children, and financial status. However, major life changes can also be the catalyst for deciding to get separated or divorced. Major life events, like suffering a terminal illness, recovering from cancer, or surviving a heart attack can cause individuals to make serious changes in their personal life, including seeking a divorce.Pivotal Life Events and DivorceAccording to an article in\u00a0Psychology Today, certain pivotal events that involve life-changing decisions can cause people to question themselves and reflect on their life. A pivotal event could lead to making the decision to get a divorce, such as suffering a serious health scare. One spouse may look at their life after a major change and decide they do not want to be in the relationship any longer.Recovering from Illness and Seeking a DivorceMany people who recover from a serious illness, such as cancer, feel like they are given a second lease on life. If the individual felt like they were in a loveless marriage or did not feel confident enough to leave the marriage, recovery may be the motivation that the spouse needs to file for divorce.Alternatively, the non-ill spouse may struggle with their spouse’s illness. The sick spouse’s reaction toward how the other spouse treated them in their moment of need may be enough to make that spouse decide that they are not married to someone who would be able to care for them in the future.Illness can be stressful for both spouses, where each spouse feels the financial pressure of a serious medical issue, the stress of dealing with doctors and treatments, and being taken away from the normalness of day-to-day life. Stress and financial pressures are common reasons that can lead to divorce.Take Time to Make a DecisionSome may recommend not making major life decisions shortly after a pivotal life event. However, in North Carolina, one of the requirements for filing for divorce is that the couple has to live separately for at least one year. Living apart for one year should be enough to give that individual time to consider their decision and make sure that separation is the right choice.Talk to Your North Carolina Divorce LawyersMedical conditions can lead to financial and emotional stress in a marriage. Recovering from a serious health condition may also motivate a spouse to make serious life changes, including filing for divorce. If you have any questions about filing for divorce, child custody, and alimony in North Carolina, contact your\u00a0family law attorneys. At Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC, we have helped individuals deal with complex divorce proceedings to find the best solution for them and their children.\u00a0Contact us today\u00a0for a consultation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Divorce After a Health Scare or Illness","item":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/divorce-after-a-health-scare-or-illness\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]