The distinction between separation and divorce is a pivotal aspect of family law that often eludes clear understanding among those…
Many people winced when they heard country singer Tammy Wynette’s song about love gone wrong in her hit “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” – they felt her pain when she talked about her impending divorce happening that day and how she wished it would never happen.
Sadly the statistics show that about half the marriages today end in divorce. Those stats are not only staggering, but sad as well, after a happy marriage, meets a few bumps in the road and the next thing you know there is talk of divorce. Talking it out between yourselves, or, even with the assistance of an experienced marriage counselor, partners realize that they might be better off to live apart and so talk of dissolution of the marriage begins.
You often hear the expression “a marriage made in Heaven”, signifying that two people are so compatible in a harmonious marriage or partnership, that it is as if that union was created in Heaven.
Most people would like to think that their marriage bears this seal of approval, but, the sad truth is that, these days, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce – in fact, you might be surprised to know that in the U.S., someone gets divorced every 10 to 13 seconds. It seems that divorce is the solution when ideas and hearts no longer mesh – a disagreement or two, and harsh words are exchanged, then usually words perhaps are spoken, that are best left unsaid. Next thing you know, a couple is not seeking marriage counseling, but one or the other is headed to a divorce attorney. Often the source of discontent is money. So, sometimes, having the forethought to have a prenuptial agreement in place to iron out any money issues before the marriage takes place, may be helpful. But, in some instances, the mere suggestion of getting a “prenup” raises your partner’s hackles.
At one time, people married young, and stayed married for life, or until death robbed the remaining partner of longstanding love and companionship. It makes your heart feel good to see an elderly couple holding hands and still enjoying one another after so many decades.
For couples whose marriage is on the skids, the thought in each of the partner’s minds is “I’d be so much better if I could just leave and be rid of him/her”, even though the very finality of ending the marriage can be a scary prospect. Unless each of the parties has a high-power job, and the financial ability to make it on their own, there is usually hesitation on either side.
Whether the marriage is of many years’ duration, or just recent, people often have a few spats, and it escalates a little further, and soon one of them threatens to end the marriage.