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To Divorce or Not
By: James Walsh

It means an entire uprooting of a certain way of life and a new system coming in to replace it. The changes occur in every sphere – financial, legal, social, emotional, intellectual and sexual. Therefore, there are very few marriages that break up without any of the parties asking themselves at least once – “Is divorce worth it?”

Legal and Financial

Your marriage certificate automatically changes a lot of things for you, even if you do not do anything about it. Your spouse now has a claim on your property and income, and if you win a lottery, you are to share it if you are still married. Usually, if a spouse dies without making a will, the property goes to the other spouse. Financial assets are also treated similarly. For women, the surname changes too unless they choose to retain their maiden name. You are also not supposed to have an amorous relation out of your marriage, unless it is found permissible by your partner. Even after that, your partner out of wedlock and any children that you may have will not enjoy the legal and financial rights of your spouse.

Dividing Property

Given this situation, it is not too hard to imagine the chaos that divorce can wreak. You will have to divide your property and money, your personal possessions, gifts, vehicle and investments if you divorce. Not every one wants to fight over these matters. But no one can avoid the paperwork and documentation that such moves involve. You will have to rewrite your will as well, stating how you wish to divide the assets in the present scenario. You should also keep in mind your plans of remarriage or cohabitation and act accordingly. Insurance, premiums, shares owned by you, policies taken out by you, all need to be distributed and everything has to be put on paper. You also need to make provision as to what to do if any of your circumstances change.

Children

This is the worst part of a divorce. It is terrible, but not impossible, to divide property. But how would you decide about the ‘ownership’ of your own flesh and blood? Joint custody may be a solution, but only if the couple have an excellent understanding, the children are comfortable with it, and any third party involved is not harmed by it. The most common arrangement in the UK till date has been single custody with visitation. How do you decide the time that is ‘enough’ for a parent and child to have a healthy relation? What would you answer if the children silently or vociferously blame you for spoiling the best part of their lives and neglecting your responsibilities after brining them into the universe? The children of this nation are the greatest victims of divorce, and grow up to be insecure individuals themselves. For those who are working, or plan to work after divorce, finding a suitable baby-sitter or a day-care centre will be an added headache. If you are shifting, you will have to find a school for your child again.

Career

Whether you admit it or not, your career would be affected adversely by divorce. You would have to take a few leaves to complete the court and financial proceedings, and you will also have to count the time that is being deducted from your normal leisure hours, since this adds to your fatigue and reduces your performance level at office. If you run a business, the loss may deal a blow from which you may never recover. If you are shifting homes, you will have to look for another job. Women face a lot of problems if they have been out of work for sometime and plan to restart their career post-divorce. They cannot take up a demanding job since they need to take care of the children, but the very fact that they are not earning enough creates financial difficulties for the child.

Emotional and Sexual

Will you be able to build for yourself the bright new life you envision after divorce? If you can heal these unseen scars, go on, start a fresh chapter. But ask yourself more than twice before you do so.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you want to find out more about a solicitor managed www.managed-divorce.co.uk“>divorce see www.managed-divorce.co.uk

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