Divorces occur every day, and approximately 10% of Americans are currently divorced. Every year, there are 1.5 million children whose parents become divorced.
While some of these individuals may have been divorced once or twice, others may have been divorced multiple times. After 5 years into a first marriage, for example, there is a 20% chance that it will end in either separation or divorce. After 10 years into a first marriage, the likelihood of it ending in divorce is 33%.
People seek divorce for a variety of reasons. While there may be a primary reason, such as infidelity, other couples may seek divorce due to basic incompatibility. Most divorces, however, are unilateral. This means that in 80% of divorce cases, only one of the individuals wants the divorce.
When couples chose mediation, over 2/3 claimed that they were satisfied with the overall outcome. Even though some individuals may contest the divorce, over 95% of couples are able to reach a settlement agreement without going to court.
The topic of alimony payments is just one legal issue that may arise during mediation and throughout the divorce proceedings. Female breadwinners, for example, currently account for 40% of American households. As a result, it is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of men that qualify for, but do not receive, receive alimony. It is also estimated that many male custodial parents are not receiving the child support payments to which they are entitled.
When choosing to have a divorce mediated, the proceedings usually don’t take as long as a traditional divorce. Depending on the state where you live, whether or not the divorce is being contested, and other factors may lengthen the proceedings.
In general, however, once divorce papers have been filed, it usually takes a year to obtain a divorce. While the costs depend on several factors, they can range between $15,000 and $30,000.
Whether you’re considering or definitely planning to obtain a divorce, it’s important to speak with a divorce law attorney as soon as possible. In addition to assisting you with understanding your rights and responsibilities, they will also be able to provide counsel on child custody, visitation rights, alimony, and other important legal matters.
When either you or your spouse don’t have a will, a family law attorney may also encourage you to complete one. According to Business Insider, a will, a living will, and a durable power of attorney are the most important legal documents that you should have. When you meet with an attorney to complete these documents, you may also want to discuss other estate planning concerns you may have.
If you have any preliminary questions prior to filing, a divorce law attorney will be able to answer these for you. Once you begin the proceedings, It’s important to remember that your attorney will be there to guide you through the process and address any issues that may arise.