Divorce Blame

Feb 11, 2013 by

Although someone usually gets blamed whenever a marriage fails, suing your local church congregation for your divorce is definitely an unusual circumstance. Whenever a divorce occurs, someone is likely to be blamed for causing it. That fact is simply human nature, and it is hard to imagine that no one would receive at least a small bit of blame and that everyone would be equally happy and completely guilt-free when a close personal relationship is finally and legally terminated. It is almost...

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World’s Shortest Marriage

Aug 8, 2012 by

Even though the overall divorce rate in the United States hovers near 50% by some estimations, the number seems small in comparison to the stats for a Polish couple in Hannover, Germany who recently created their own personal divorce rate of 100%. The deed was accomplished in less than 24 hours. Actually, more like three hours. In what could possibly be the shortest marriage in the record books, the couple had their marriage annulled just a few hours after tying the knot. Following a brief...

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Calculating Child Support

Aug 8, 2012 by

Divorce is difficult, often involving anger and confusion; a major issue in divorce is child support. Access to information empowers individuals with understanding of important changes in their lives. Each state determines procedures for calculating child support; therefore, a parent seeking to establish or modify a child support order must research the particular state’s rules. To facilitate the child support process most states utilize a formula or “calculator,” using...

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Defense of Marriage Act Under Fire

Aug 8, 2012 by

A New York Congressman plans to introduce a bill in Congress that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), or at least repeal the part of the Act that denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States today. It is uncertain whether or not Congressman Jerry Nadler’s bill would tackle repeal of the entire DOMA or just the part of the Act that addresses federal recognition of same-sex marriages. The Act now states that the U.S. government does not recognize...

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Liberalizing Divorce Laws

Aug 8, 2012 by

The United States is not the only place where no fault divorce is making the news as more countries around the world are liberalizing their divorce laws. The courts in India are having to make a bit of adjustment as that country moves to amend their old divorce laws to include the ‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’ as sufficient grounds for divorce. The government’s family courts are preparing to deal with an increase in divorce and child custody cases the change is...

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Divorce Statistics – Pieces of the Puzzle

Aug 8, 2012 by

Some have said “The happiest time in anyone’s life is after their divorce.” Are all long-lasting love stories disappearing? Only to become a movie you can rent on a Friday night? The recently announced 2008 divorce rates show that American’s are choosing the route of long-term separation rather than putting the time into making a long-term commitments successful. With only 11 out of our 50 states having divorce rate less than 10%, it is enough to make one think that if...

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Al Gore’s Divorce Stories

Aug 8, 2012 by

When the news of Al Gore’s impending divorce from his wife Tipper was recently announced, the reason given for the split was that the senior couple had simply grown apart. The explanation seemed a bit odd for a couple who had been married for 4 decades and have grown children and grandchildren too. Suspicions of an affair died when no confirmation surfaced and the 62-year-old Gore seemed like a normal, but sedate senior who was simply tired of his marriage. Now, allegations that Al Gore...

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Protecting Divorce Records

Aug 8, 2012 by

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States these days and the theft of marriage and divorce records is part of the problem. Once a thief has access to a person’s marital records it can open the door for ongoing fraud and even though obtaining vital records illegally is a felony in most jurisdictions, it does not stop determined thieves. The situation has led some states to change their regulations to require photo identification for all vital records requests in an effort to...

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Have Gender Roles in the Family Changed?

Aug 8, 2012 by

Gender roles in the family were pretty much set in stone back in the fifties, but times change. . .or do they? The Council on Contemporary Families did a study on gender roles and equality in family life for their upcoming conference and the results might surprise you. ** Does marital quality decrease when couples need to negotiate the division of household chores and child-care? Researchers and clinical psychologists Philip and Carolyn Cowan report that marriages suffer most when couples fail...

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Divorce Harvest

Aug 8, 2012 by

California voters are drawing close to the November ballot in that state which will decide the matter of Proposition 19, which seeks to control and regulate the adult use of marijuana. There have been vocal proponents on both sides of the issue with supporters saying cannabis should be regulated, legalized and lawfully permitted. Critics on the other side say that marijuana is a psychoactive substance and the state risks increased health and social costs resulting from increased use. By now...

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Top 5 Reasons Women Cheat

Aug 8, 2012 by

There may be certain attributes in a relationship may give a partner the need to find affection and gratification elsewhere, but most cheating usually results from dissatisfaction. Although statistically men still cheat more than women, there are some women who cheat on men just because they can, and today more married women than ever before are cheating on their husbands. According to a recent American Sexual Behavior study, only 14% of married women admit to having cheated at least once,...

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Massachusetts Takes on Feds over Same-Sex Marriage

Aug 8, 2012 by

Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2003. This week in Boston, Massachusetts became the first state to file suit against the U.S. government over the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The DOMA was established in 1996 and forbids federal benefits for legally married gay and lesbian couples. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts lawsuit is challenging one specific part of the DOMA that establishes the federal definition of marriage as limited...

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Does Your Pet Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Aug 8, 2012 by

Uncontested divorces without children or large assets to divide are usually considered the least expensive and least complicated type of break-ups. However, a couple in New Jersey is finding out that even if you aren’t married and have no children, breaking up can be very costly and time consuming if you are a pet lover. A landmark ruling by a state appeals court in New Jersey mandates that a couple who spent some $40,000 battling over the custody of the pet pug they once cared for...

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First Aid For Life After Divorce

Aug 8, 2012 by

Whether you’re glad to be divorced or devastated by it, divorce often means an adjustment to a whole new life. Even if you’re relieved to be free of the relationship, it’s still normal to feel sad about the loss of something you’d hoped would last forever. Remember to grieve. You’ve lost something important, and it’ll take time to heal. Don’t expect yourself to be “over it” immediately. Be patient with the grieving process and allow it to...

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How to Find Your Divorce Records

Aug 8, 2012 by

When a divorce is finalized by the court system, the court proceedings are documented and stored in a divorce court record. While the precise contents of a divorce court record will vary from state to state, divorce records will generally contain the paperwork that was filed at every step of the divorce as well as the details of the settlement. Divorce records are public records that can easily be accessed by any member of the community. While the physical divorce record itself is maintained at...

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V-Day or D-Day?

Aug 8, 2012 by

Cupid’s arrow might be doing more harm than good. Even though the present state of the economy has forced many unhappy couples to either put off a divorce or reconcile their differences, LegalZoom.com predicts a jump in the number of couples finally calling it quits in the weeks immediately following Valentine’s Day. The end of 2008 saw a rough economic landscape. While couples might have been having an equally rocky time in their marriage, it was simply much too costly to get...

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Most Expensive Divorces

Aug 8, 2012 by

Messy and expensive are two words that come to mind whenever celebrity divorces are mentioned. Celebrity divorce gossip in the news is even juicier when it involves millions of dollars. Most Hollywood divorces have drawn huge audiences because people always enjoy watching a slow-motion train wreck, however, when it comes to the most costly celebrity splits, it may be the high-profile, professional athletes and their spouses that provide the most expensive divorce court entertainment. Even...

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DUI & Child Custody – More than Just Money?

Aug 8, 2012 by

Everyone knows that a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol can be a very expensive proposition. One first-time DUI conviction can easily end up costing a driver over $10,000 in associated fines and costs in most states today. However, the non-financial aspects of a DUI conviction can often turn out to be far more costly than the monetary penalties. While the fines for driving under the influence vary from state to state, there are no bargains. It is a good bet...

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Children of Divorce Get Help in Florida

Aug 8, 2012 by

It’s no secret that children are negatively impacted by the break-up of a family. Divorce is always a huge headache for most couples, but the experience can be even worse on the children in the home. Many states offer support resources including legal and financial assistance for divorcing parents, and therapy or counseling for the whole family after the divorce is final. But very few states provide any assistance or guidance for the dependants during a divorce unless there are specific...

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Separation and Divorce Are Not the Same

Aug 8, 2012 by

A separation is not a divorce. It may be a step along the path to getting a divorce, but it’s important to remember that the two are not equivalent. Even couples that are legally separated are still married in the eyes of the law. There are several kinds of separations, the most formal of which is a legal separation – a court-approved agreement to live apart. Types of Separation There are four main types of separations: trial, living apart, permanent, and legal. In a trial...

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