The value and emphasis that American culture places on marriage makes the decision to seek divorce one of the most difficult decisions any person or couple can make. Couples struggling in their relationships are put in a more difficult situation just by bringing the possibility of divorce into the picture.
The impact of cultural, societal and religious standards on marriage as an institution is undeniable. People are still debating about same-sex marriage despite it being legalized nation wide in 2015. Lawmakers have attempted to ban no fault divorce in several states since its inception, from a 2012 bill debated in Alabama to a slew of political figureheads advocating against it in 2024. To say that people across the country are bitterly divided is an understatement.
Divorce is Rarely Easy
Our divorce lawyers have seen many cases. Sometimes there may still be hope for saving a relationship. In many others, couples have already called it quits. By the time most married couples reach the point of pursuing a divorce, their relationship bears little resemblance to the heady days of early romance and both parties have more than a few scars to show for their experience.
There are already enough social stigmas surrounding divorce, whether religious, cultural, or otherwise. Fortunately, these are just those – stigmas. They are not put into law. Americans of any background are legally permitted to divorce for any reason.
Changing divorce laws to put more hurdles in the way of these couples peacefully resolving their problems is not the logical route to follow. It is also not a route that is going to help solve the problems that lead many couples to divorce court.
It could even have a more negative affect by masking the problems. As hard as divorce is, sometimes marriage is harder.
Resources for American Divorce
The good news is that, currently, divorce for any reason is very much legal. American citizens also have the right to handle their divorce themselves. They can hire an attorney or file their own divorce paperwork. There are exceptions in the state of North Carolina for who is eligible for divorce, but they are typically time dependent rather than having anything to do with your reasons for divorcing.
If you have reached the point where you are seriously considering this major step, it is not without reason. These resources will help you if you decide you would like to move forward.
Handling the Divorce On Your Own
As previously mentioned, anyone can do their divorce on their own. It can certainly be tough when there are issues between a couple, such as custody, complex property distribution, business division, or issues coming to an agreement. However, for couples without these factors, you may not need an attorney at all. Download our do-it-yourself guide or sign up for our DIY Divorce program if this applies to you.
Child Custody
Some parents are able to come to an agreement on custody all on their own. Even if you are struggling with how to negotiate the terms of your custody agreement, this online custody course will update you on the legal in and outs of child custody.
Child Support
Our child support calculator calculates the amount of support you will receive or owe. It uses guidelines set by the state so it is accurate within a couple of cents. The state also provides child support services at no cost to those who need it.
Hiring an Attorney
A divorce lawyer can remove the red tape surrounding nebulous laws regarding divorce. For higher complexity issues or just to take out some of the guess work surrounding divorce law, hire an attorney to manage your divorce for you. They can advocate on your behalf for things you didn’t know were within your rights to ask for.
Strengthening the Institution of Marriage
If the goal is to strengthen the institution of marriage, the attention needs to be on the front end. Providing better training in relationship skills, encouraging couples to take advantage of counseling and support systems and making sure those support systems are readily available would do more to help reduce the rate of divorce.
Successful marriages require special efforts by both parties. These marriages may not always be perfect, but they work because people have or find the skills they need to make them work. Couples that are struggling need help getting those skills and tools.
Our website contains a number of links to sites and programs that can help people find resources designed to help them save their marriages. If you want more information on these services or to discuss how they work, contact us.
