Foreign Research

1. DIVORCE

2. WHAT IS DIVORCE?
The termination of a marriage by legal
action, requiring a petition or
complainant for divorce (or dissolution in
some states) by one party.

3. The substantive issues in divorces are
division of property, child custody and support,
alimony (spousal support), child visitation and
attorney’s fees.
In most states the period from original filing
for divorce, serving the petition on the other party
and final judgment (or decree) takes several
months to allow for a chance to reconcile.

4. In the United States, couples marrying
for the first time have approximately a
fifty percent chance of divorcing.
Psychologist are helping couples “I Do”
last a lifetime through development and
application of scientifically tested
relationship education programs.

5. HISTORY OF DIVORCE
In early civilizations, marriage and marriage
dissolution were considered private matters.
Marriage and divorce were first placed under
comprehensive state regulation in Rome during the
reign of Augustus (27 B.C.-A.D. 14). As Christianity
spread, governments came under religious control,
and the Roman Catholic Church strictly forbade
divorce.

6. During the 1500s, the Protestant Reformation
movement in Europe rejected religious
control over marriage and helped to move the
matter of divorce from the church to the
state. European courts granted divorces
upon a showing of fault, such as adultery,
cruelty, or desertion.

7. After the Revolutionary War, divorce law in the
United States continued to develop regionally. The
U.S. Constitution was silent as to divorce, leaving
the matter to the states for regulation. For the next
150 years, state legislatures passed and
maintained laws that granted divorce only upon
showing of fault on the part of a spouse.

8. TRADITIONAL GROUND FOR DIVORCE
• Cruelty
• Desertion
• Adultery
• Nonsupport or neglect
• Alcoholism
• Drug addiction
• Insanity
• Criminal Conviction
• Voluntary Separation

9. In the United States, divorce law consists of 51
different sets of conditions– one for each state
and the District of Columbia. Each state holds
dear its power to regulate domestic relations,
and peculiar divorce laws abound.
Nevertheless, divorce law in most state has
evolved to recognize the difference between
regulating the actual decision to divorce and
regulating the practical ramifications of such a
decision, such as property distribution, support
obligations, and child custody.

10. Historically, custody of the children of divorcing
parents was awarded to the mother.
Today, courts exercise their discretion in
awarding custody, considering all relevant factors,
including marital misconduct, to determine the
children’s best interests. Many parents are able to
reach settlements on custody and visitation through
mediation. Child custody is, however, a frequent
battleground for less-than-conciliatory spouses.

11. TOP 10 REASONS FOR DIVORCE
1. Married too fast
2. Communications breakdowns
3. Cheating and Infidelity
4. Bedroom boredom
5. Loss of autonomy
6. Money and financial issues
7. Alcohol and drugs
8. Lack of romance
9. Differences in background
10. Boredom with other person

12. The 10 reasons for divorce is by no means
exhaustive. There are host of other factors that can
impact a relational dynamic and lead to marital
collapse. The list covered the “biggies”. Marriage
counseling can certainly help to provide answers.

13. 8 WAYS TO SAVE MARRIAGE
1. Make a list of all the issues you argue about.
2. Focus on yourself.
3. Cut the crap.
4. Express concerns constructively.
5. Make decisions cooperatively
6. Eliminate the three “AS” that ruin marriages.
7. Radically increase the positive energies you give your partner.
8. Learn the skills for a successful marriage.

14. REFRENCES:
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/divorce
http://www.yourtango.com/experts/dr-susan-heitler-creator-of-power-of-two-marriage/how-
save-your-marriage
http://www.couplescounselingchicago.net/reasons-for-divorce-top-10-reasons-marriages-end/
http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/divorce