It appears that in modern times, the institution of marriage is unstable and the nuclear family, once a common familial arrangement, is now a rarity. The idea that 50% of marriages today wind up splitting is an unconfirmed myth. Though the statistic is not necessarily true, there is a lot to be said about the stability of marriage when the general population finds that statistic believable.
Voltaire has stated once that “Divorce probably dates from the same time as marriage. I think, however, that marriage is a few weeks older.” When we think about our past, we remember that marriage was once a bond broken only by death and that couples stayed together because they were religiously and legally obligated rather than that they had no desire to separate. Voltaire’s quote may sound bitter, but it throws open the strong cynical aspects about how seriously humans view their marriage with involvement and concern.
Broken marriages are not a modern phenomenon – far from it. A couple in Ancient Greece could legally separate if the party seeking the separation had a reasonable explanation as to why the marriage couldn’t work.
The responsibility and authority of studying their statements and considering how strongly they support the cause of divorce, lies with the magistrate. Elements of the Grecian process still exist, including fault/no fault statements.
But what are the chances that a couple will stay in a committed relationship these days with the option of separation on the table? Statistically, most marriages break apart prior to the 15th anniversary and most between just four or 7 years of marriage. Young couples or those who have been married before are generally more likely to dissolve their marriages earlier than average.
Maybe they think, rightly or wrongly, that divorce will solve all their problems. They may even presume that their life afterwards will be better without their other half because they will be free to do what they please. Countless persons have found that not only was the procedure injurious but the problems persisted even after their dissolution of marriage.
When a marriage fails it typically impacts each member of the marriage adversely. Even the party who initiates the separation can become severely depressed following the breakdown of a marriage. At times people grow depressed with the realization that the ideal mate is only a dream. Women who divorce after turning 30 find that dating is intimidating and overwhelming and because of this, forty percent do not remarry.
Zsa Zsa Gabor said, “I am an excellent housekeeper. Every time I get divorced, I keep the house!” Most people take their marriages very seriously, despite this image of marriage as a disposable or temporary relationship. The breakdown of marriage scares people because it seems to be more the rule than the exception. But, this is simply not true. It is surely more common now than ever before, yet surprisingly, it is still frowned upon as a failure of the couple. At times marriages fail to continue to be healthy and must be dissolved for the sake of all parties to the marriage.
If you find this interesting, you can learn more about my practice as an good Austin TX family law lawyer. You can also watch the Austin Texas Divorce Guide Audio CD at www.TruslerLegal.com. If you haven’t found the information you need, you can see our questions about divorce in Austin TX.
Divorce is both a diverse and frequently arduous process. Regulating laws depend on whether spouses are civilians or military. The existence of property and/or children falls under another level of regulations and laws. These factors are regulated at a state level. It is important to also remember, both spouse’s annual income taxes will be affected by this process.
Only one service member is needed to move the proceedings into a military setting. Military proceedings affect the outcome of several items, such as the distribution of pensions, location of the proceedings, and possible delays based on service. The primary administering entity for this set of rules is called the Service members Civil Relief Act. When it comes to possible military legal cases, you need to look for someone with expertise to represent you.
Any divorce time line has many factors weighing upon its outcome. Every state has different laws about how long it takes to divorce by separation or the length of time between the serving of divorce papers and a final divorce, or even how hard it is to get a final divorce decree. The cooperation of each spouse also affects the amount of time spent in a trial separation or litigating. Both of these processes are capable of stretching out over many years, and can be held up by one disagreement over an asset, children or another factor.
The division of property and assets has the potential to lengthen proceedings if one or both parties are unwilling to compromise or agree upon a settlement. Sometimes, the existence of a prenuptial agreement can curtail this type of dispute. Without a prenup, as they are often called, a spouse who owned the now family home prior to the marriage may be forced to sell the property in order to split its value. Sometimes each partner is in agreement as to the division of possessions, without a lot of litigating. Other proceedings may drag out over long spans of time due to a disagreement over a specific item with little or no monetary value.
Each state has its own, at times quite diverse, policies regarding child support, alimony and child custody. The regulations on these issues appear to move with society’s evolving views and whims. The welfare of children is of prime importance in a divorce petition, overruling the aspirations and comforts of the parents seeking divorce. For this reason, research in child development, social work regulations, and state mandates all can affect the outcome of childcare related proceedings. In many state courts, alimony and child support determinations will extend litigation in much the same way that property division can.
Marriage and the addition of children can provide tax benefits. Divorce or separation must also be considered carefully during tax preparation. Federal and state regulations stipulate how alimony, child support, dependents, and marital status changes weigh for a new tax year. Help of a certified public accountant or a tax professional is advisable when your status or support changes.
Make sure you consider these factors, in addition to the well-being of everyone in the family, in the initial stages of a divorce. This decision has the potential to affect the entire family’s life for many years into the future. Not only is it vital to procure both a prepared lawyer and accountant, but also strong understanding of the desired final outcome.
If you’d like more information, you can learn more about my practice as an top Austin TX family law attorney. You can also watch the online webinar on divorce in Austin Texas at AustinDivorceHelp.com. Divorce doesn’t have to be a disaster. Learn how a Austin Texas collaborative attorney can help you through family disputes with dignity.