Divorce

Divorce resources

American Responsible Divorce Network - Information and resources to help make divorces more humane and responsible. Statistics and information on children, family law, and conflict resolution.

Ariadne's Thread - Retreat for divorced women in Wimberley, Texas. Schedule, description of the program, and information on the facilitators.

Better Divorce for the Children's Sake - Resources to help make divorce gentler for the whole family. Information on statistics, custody, effects of divorce on children, conflict resolution, divorce rituals, and emotional support.

Divorce and Money - Articles on general advice, child support, taxes, and work.

Divorce Blessing Ceremony - Downloadable guide for a ceremony intended to help heal the pain of divorce and release the past.

Divorce Guidelines - Sells a workbook and poster with ideas for how to rebuild emotionally after divorce. Includes online copy of the poster, links, and thoughts to ponder.

Divorce Magazine - Online version includes articles on topics such as infidelity, establishing new relationships, mediation, local legal issues, and child custody, as well as links to professional service providers.

Divorce Plus - Annotated links divided by subtopic, essays on coping, and information on the author.

Divorce Recovery University - Free online mini courses, e-manual, poetry, and phone mentors to help deal with the emotional effects of divorce.

Divorce Room - Discussion and personal stories about adjusting to an impending divorce, dealing with children's issues, and getting along with an ex-partner.

Divorce Support Plus - Exists to help the whole family heal after divorce. Information on coaching, workshops, and counselling services in Montreal, Quebec.

The Divorce Survival Guide - Free online newsletter. Archived issues focusing on the various stages of the divorce process.

Divorce Transitions - Offers support and guidance to those dealing with or recovering from divorce. Basic information on separation, divorce, divorce recovery and starting over single.

Divorce with Compassion - One woman's story of how she dealt with her divorce by using Nonviolent Communication techniques.

4Divorce.com - Links to divorce resources.

Divorced Women Stories - Seeks women to share anonymously their divorce experiences as part of a research project.

eNotalone.com: Divorce - Articles and discussion board.

How to Divorce As Friends - Advice, recommended books, and telephone counseling to help couples resolve difficult issues connected with divorce or even save their marriage.

Institute for Divorce Education - Provides educational programs for people involved in separation or divorce; site includes recommended books and links, class information, and articles.

Myria: Divorce - Articles and discussion boards for mothers.

Ondivorce - A variety of resources for those facing the break up of their relationship, including discussion boards, case studies, and a divorce checklist.

Positive Divorce Resolution - Offers a parenting course to parents involved in divorce as well as instructor training and support. Information on classes, Florida legal information, articles, and recommended resources.

Rebuilding - Information on Dr. Bruce Fisher's ten-week Rebuilding Divorce Seminar. Locations, contact details, and an overview of the program.

Resingled - E-zine on life after divorce, with articles on recovering from divorce and reentering the dating scene.

Single Again - Articles on spirituality, health, finances, counseling and relationships, focusing on those who are newly single in the middle of life. Articles are a combination of practical advice and commercial promotions.

Survive Divorce - Written by people who have experienced divorce. How to save a marriage, mental and physical health, protecting the children, legal issues, and moving on. Articles and links to more resources.

Vitalnet System for Analyzing Divorce Data - Description and sample analysis for software that calculates divorce and marriage rates and other divorce-related statistics and patterns.

When Marriage Ends - Monthly divorce newsletter. Information on divorce and separation with emphasis on parenting issues and child custody.

Woman's Divorce.com - Information guide covering legal and children's issues, financial survival, work, and emotional healing.

Divorce and children

Adult Children of Divorce - Resource for adults whose parents are divorcing.

Center for Divorce Education - Provides educational videos and booklets for agencies providing classes for divorcing or separating parents. Product catalog, information on the Children in the Middle program, and links.

Children's Rights Council - Washington, DC-based group which advocates shared parenting, family formation, and extended family preservation for children of divorcees. Newsletter, list of affiliated organizations, current legislative alerts, and research links provided.

The Divided Heart - Links to articles for parents, kids and teens as well as a list of recommended books.

Dr. Sal Severe: Kids and Divorce - Explanation of how divorce and the loss of contact with one parent can negatively affect children.

The Effects of Divorce on Children - Brief academic study on the topic.

Faith Journeys Foundation - Nonprofit organization offering classes to support children and young adults with separated or divorced parents. Includes recommended resources and an advice section for children of divorce.

A House Divided - A nonprofit effort dedicated to educating the public about the rights of children in broken families. Information for non-custodial and custodial parents and friends and family as well as case studies.

Kids in the Middle - Organization in St. Louis, Missouri dedicated to helping children impacted by divorce. Resources for both parents and children.

New Jersey Council for Childrens Rights (NJCCR) - Divorce reform educational group devoted to the right of children to have access to both parents and extended families. Calendar, meetings, and newsletter provided, as well as a description of current legislation and organizational services.

Ohio State University Extension Factsheet: Adult Children of Divorce - Advice for adults in dealing with their parents' divorce.

Parents Without Custody - Links to New Jersey legal resources and a message board for parents without custody of their children.

A Survival Kit for Children of Divorce - Selling a backpack with items for children whose parents are divorcing.

The Association for Shared Parenting - Oranization promoting the rights of children to the nurture of both parents. Information on membership, meetings and activities, and donation as well as links and contact information for further information or support.

Child Custody and Parental Alienation Syndrome Resources - Catalog of publications and resources for parents including a child psychological assessment booklet and legal consultation information.

The Determination of Child Custody in the USA - Article by Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D., which reviews the history of child custody decision-making and describes current custodial arrangements.

How to Arrange Co-parenting - Guidelines and tips for a workable parenting plan.

Kids-Right - Group supporting a child's right to be with two parents. Information on non-violent pulic action, essays and articles, discussion forum, and personal stories of the separation of parents and children.

NZTramps.com - Supports non-custodial parents and their children in trying to maintain or restore a relationship. Includes forum, help for children and teens trying to contact their non-custodial parent, information on Men's Refuge organization, news, events, and advice.

Ohio State University Extension Factsheet: Making Joint Custody Work - A discussion of the potential problems and advice on how to communicate and work through these difficulties.

Parent and Child Advocacy Coalition of Canada - Annotated links to information on importance of shared parenting after divorce as well as related organizations and legislative contacts in Canada.

Parenting Time Calendar - Description and ordering information on a computer program for developing child custody schedules.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Casualties of a Custody War - Special report on a teenager's suicide, linked to troubles with his divorced parents and their custody battles.

Rotating Custody: The New Trend - One father's personal story and ordering information for a report on joint physical and rotating custody.

Shared Parenting Information Group (SPIG) UK - Promotes responsible shared parenting after separation or divorce and provides information, research and resources.

Divorce support

About.com: Divorce Support - Articles and resources on divorce in a variety of circumstances and from a variety of perspectives. Includes chat and discussion boards.

All Grown Up - Now What? - For adults who grew up in divorced households and are now trying to build families of their own. Information on becoming a member and related links.

AllExperts.com: Divorce Issues - List of volunteer experts and their ranges of experience and a form for asking questions.

Bethany of Southeastern Michigan - Provides spiritual, social, and educational assistance to divorced and separated Christians through peer to peer ministry. Information on individual chapters, board members, and meetings as well as contact details, maps, and newsletters.

Beyond Divorce - A divorce recovery workshop with separate programs for adults and children, sponsored by University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington. Information on the program, schedule, registration form, resources, and contact details.

Divorce and Loss - Article offering advice on dealing with stressful and confusing emotional issues, including suggestions for ceremonies or rites to help in accepting and embracing the divorce.

Divorce Care - Network of church-sponsored weekly groups involving informational videos and interaction with other members. Listings of current groups by region, resources, and help in forming a DivorceCare ministry.

Divorce Care and Support - A community for people going through divorce. Message board, chat room, poetry, book club, and general resources.

Divorce Center - Massachusetts-based volunteer organization offering emotional and legal support. Information on the "Parents Apart" program, seminars, and television programs; recommended resources, and FAQ.

Divorce Central - Information and community for the divorced and the divorcing. Includes legal, emotional, financial and parenting information as well as bulletin boards and chat.

The Divorce Forum - Information on seminars, radio interviews, and other divorce therapy services, recommended reading, discussion boards, financial and emotional advice, humor.

Divorce Recovery 101 - Online support group recovery class, information and help adjusting to single life with lessons and chat.

Divorce Resources for Women - Especially for separated and divorced mothers. Features chat rooms for single mothers and mothers without custody. Also includes links to books and other resources.

Divorce Support for Under 35's - Messages boards, essays, and links.

Divorce Support Group of the Seacoast - Located in York, Maine. Meeting and program details, information on the stages of divorce, and recommended resources.

Divorce Survivors - MSN community with message boards and chat. Also includes library of resources, "for men only" section, links, and fun features.

Divorced Life - Personal stories and views, horoscopes, chat, and thoughts on life after divorce.

Divorced Living - List of ten recommended books, free newsletters, links, contact details, and information on coaching services for women.

The Good News Community - A non-profit organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Seminar registration, mailing list, donation information, calendar of events, and contact details.

Kids Turn - A non-profit organization to help children and parents through divorce. A page just for kids as well as articles, recommended books, workshop and program information, and a newsletter.

New Life Ministries - Catholic organization in Canton, Ohio committed to the healing of those who have experienced separation and divorce. Classes and support groups for adults and children. Includes map, calendar, and message board.

Plymouth New Beginnings - A support group in Plymouth, Massachusetts for single adults, whether divorced, widowed, or never married. Meeting times, brief legal articles dealing with divorce, calendar, and map.

Sandcastles Program - A group experience designed to assist children in dealing with their parents' divorce. General information on the program, recommended activities for children and teens, forums, games, and articles.

Seaside Awakenings - Retreat offered in Laguna Beach, California for men and women to move through and beyond divorce. Contact details, overview of the topics and programs presented, registration form, and information on area lodging.

Second Chances - Member-submitted resources including articles, photo and art gallery, and creative corner as well as forums and chat for adults and children.

Single Place - Church-based singles group in Northville, Michigan focusing on divorce recovery. Registration forms, news and announcements, map and directions, calendar, contact details, and information on programs and events.

Visions Anew - A non-profit organization for women in Georgia. Services include retreats and classes. Driving directions, maps, recommended resources, and contact information.

Divorce and Family Law

American Bar Association - Section of Family Law - A Table Of Contents to ABA articles, links, and resources on the subject of Family Law.

American Divorce Information Network - Information for people facing divorce, and a directory of professional service providers.

Berryman Shacklock Solicitors - DivorceGuideUK - Principles of divorce law in England and Wales.

Cordell & Cordell - DadsDivorce.com - Resource for divorced and divorcing fathers, with legal information, statues, and a message board.

Divorce - A discussion group where people share their experiences with divorce.

Divorce Central - Divorce laws by state. Legal, emotional, financial and parenting information. Bulletin boards and chat.

Divorce Headquarters - Information and listings of professionals to assist people going through the divorce process.

Divorce in England and Wales - How to manage your own divorce and cope with the emotional strains. Specific advice for England & Wales.

Divorce Online - An electronic journal providing information and referrals for people facing divorce.

Divorce Source - Information on divorce and related issues.

Divorce Support - Links and information about surviving divorce, from About.com.

DivorceInteractive.com - Directory of family law professionals, with links, articles, and discussion forums.

DivorceMagazine.com - Information for events before, during, and after divorce, with links to professionals to help with the process.

DivorceNet - Information on the subjects of divorce, child support, custody, visitation, and spousal support, and a directory of U.S. divorce lawyers.

divorce-online.co.uk - Providing information on marriage, divorce, and custody for England and Wales, with chatrooms and message boards.

Divorcing.Com - Offering links to substantive information about divorce, including legal, financial, parenting, psychological, and custody issues.

Free Advice on Divorces in Michigan - General information from a layman regarding do-it-yourself divorce in Michigan.

Garrett C. Dailey - California Divorce Guide - Basic information on the issues of spousal support, child support, divorce procedures. Additional information is available for purchase.

James Whalen - Child Custody And Divorce - Michigan attorney, providing information, advice, and legal services for family law litigation.

J.P. Boyd's BC Family Law Resource - Attorney sponsored site, providing information about family law and the legal process in British Columbia, Canada.

K & T Enterprises - Basic forms for an uncontested New Jersey divorce.

Kayama.org - A non-profit institute, providing information and assistance for those who wish to obtain a Jewish divorce: a GET.

Law about...Divorce - An overview of divorce law with links to key primary and secondary sources, from Cornell University's Legal Information Institute.

Law Offices of Aaron Dishon, Inc. - Providing articles and information pertaining to divorce in California.

Lee Borden - DivorceInfo.com - Divorce resources, including negotiation tactics, tax, legal, and emotional issues, from an Alabama divorce mediator and attorney.

Morrie Sacks - Collaborative Divorce & Separation - Discussion of this non-adversarial process in Canada.

Project for the Improvement of Child Support Litigation Technology - A research project on the science, engineering, and application of child support guidelines.

Raggio & Raggio - How a Texas Divorce Case Works - Description of the state's divorce process.

Self Help Law Center - Offering a California child support calculator.

The Tao of Divorce - 'A Woman's Guide To Winning' - A philosophical look at divorce strategy, based on Sun Tzu's The Art Of War.

United Fathers of America - Providing information and resources for families involved in dissolution and parental/custodial disputes.

www.HowToGetaDivorce.com - Providing state-specific information, and referrals to divorce professionals, for people considering divorce.

Your Divorce Learning Center - Information, links, and newsletter for people affected by divorce, from Broken Heart Publishing.

Divorce forms and kits

Legal World - Sells forms for an uncontested divorce in Georgia and South Carolina.

MyDivorceDocuments.com - Vendor of forms for divorce matters.

Splitting the Sheets - Vendor of downloadable Texas family law forms.

Texas Legal Forms - Vendor of disk with forms and instructions, allowing customers to prepare and file their own documents.

Able Legal Forms - Vendor of Florida family law do-it-yourself kits.

Canadian Divorce On-Line - Vendor of a kit for obtaining a legal separation and/or divorce. Includes general divorce information, the Divorce Act, and provincial information.

D and S Associates - Vendor of a videotape, providing techniques on how to be effective in a child custody evaluation.

Divorce: Do It Yourself - Vendor of video for do-it-yourself divorce.

Divorce Forms and Laws - Vendor of do-it-yourself divorce kits for the United States.

Divorce Wizards - Offers do it yourself divorce kits, initiated over the internet.

divorceLAWinfo.com - Forms and do-it-yourself kits.

Divorce-online UK - Divorce and relationship information, message boards, and chatrooms.

Legal Kits Publishing Co. - Vendor of divorce kits and forms.

Old Mountain Press - Do-it-yourself kit, with PC-compatible software, that helps you draw up a no-fault divorce agreement.

QDRO Drafting Services - Offers a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) that can be drafted without using an attorney.

Quickedivorce.co.uk - Complete your own DIY divorce in UK.

Service Enterprises - Vendor of kits for all 50 states plus, Washington DC.

Win Child Custody - Video product describing how to litigate a custody case.

Divorce - informational article

Divorce or dissolution of marriage is the ending of a marriage, which can be contrasted with an annulment which is a declaration that a marriage is void, though the effects of marriage may be recognized in such unions, such as spousal support, child custody and distribution of property.

In developed countries, divorce rates have increased markedly during the twentieth century. Among the states in which divorce has become commonplace are the United States, Japan, Korea and members of the European Union. In U.S, Canada, the United Kingdom and other some other developed Commonwealth countries, this boom in divorce developed in the last half of the twentieth century, corresponding, more or less, with the abolition of such concepts as illegitimacy and the development of the equality of the sexes. In addition, acceptance of the single-parent family has resulted in many women deciding to have children outside marriage as there is little remaining social stigma attached to unwed mothers. The subject of divorce as a social phenomenon is an important research topic in sociology.

Some researchers argue that divorce rate does not always reflect actual interactions among people; that is, some countries may show a low divorce rate because, in such countries, people rarely get married in the first place. This heavily depends on cultural values and how the tax system affects married couples.

The term between divorce and remarriage varies depending on the country and the gender of the divorcee. In some countries, women need to wait longer than men before remarrying to avoid confusion about paternity. Children born after divorce may or may not be recognized as children of their father depending on the period between divorce and birth. In most common law jurisdictions there is a presumption that the child born during the marriage is the father's child, however this presumption can be overcome by identifying the putative father and bringing a paternity or affiliation proceeding. If the child was conceived before the divorce but born afterward this is the kind of grey area that jurists enjoy litigating. If a man accepts the child as his own he may be declared the father by estoppel as the parens patrie power of the court would rather the child have a male role model responsible for child support and other parental obligations rather than have the child grow up in a monoparental family.

History of Divorce

Divorce in some jurisdictions is a relatively recent phenomenon. In Canada there was no divorce law until the 1960s. Before that the only way to get divorced was to apply to the Canadian Senate where a special committee would undertake an investigation of a request for a divorce and if they found that the request had merit, the marriage would be dissolved by an Act of Parliament.

Prior to 1670 a marriage could only be ended by the Church courts if it could be shown to have never existed in the first place, either through inability to consent (e.g. insanity) or by want of capacity to marry (e.g. precontract, consanguinity, the two parties were related by a previous marriage). A marriage could also be ended if one of the parties were impotent or frigid when the marriage was contracted. It was also possible to get a legal separation from the church known as divorce a mensa et thoro (from board and hearth). Grounds for the separation included adultery, cruelty and heresy, and it meant that any offspring were not rendered illegitimate.

In the 1530s, Henry VIII decided that he wished to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, on the grounds of affinity; he argued that, since Catherine was his brother Arthur's widow, the marriage had never really existed. Catherine claimed that her marriage to Arthur had never been properly consummated. In 1533 Thomas Cranmer was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and he declared that Henry's marriage to Catherine was void, effectively bastardizing their daughter Mary (later Mary I). In 1536 Cranmer similarly declared Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn void, most probably due to Henry's previous relationship with Anne's sister Mary Boleyn. Cranmer tried to reform the Church of England's Canon law so that it allowed divorce for adultery, cruelty, and desertion, but these changes were not implemented.

Following Lord Roos's divorce on the grounds of adultery in 1670, the procedure for divorce in English law went as follows: first the husband brought an action for "criminal conversation" to establish the adultery, then he obtained a divorce a mensa et thoro from the church and then finally he petitioned the House of Lords to grant the divorce.

In 1853 a Royal Commission made recommendations on how to improve the procedure of getting a divorce. In 1857 the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, based in London, was established, taking over the divorce duties of the church courts. Men could obtain divorce for adultery, but women had to prove cruelty or desertion, in addition of their husband's adultery. In 1923 women were allowed to use the same grounds for divorce as men. In 1969, after much debate, matrimonial breakdown became grounds for divorce.

Religious/Cultural Attitudes to Divorce
Many countries in Europe, such as France, prohibited divorce as it was not condoned by the Catholic church. Sometimes citizens would have to travel to other jurisdictions to obtain a divorce.

Social and Psychological Issues
Women are generally the financial victims of divorce due to the lack of equal pay for equal work in many countries and the fact that many women give up employment after marriage to bring up children. They are often left with the burden of looking after the children after the divorce while having to find work in low-paid jobs. Child support collection is a major problem as many fathers do not accept that they have an obligation towards their children. Many national and local governments provide some kind of welfare system for divorced mothers and their children.

Legal Aspects of Divorce

United States
Under the laws of most of the states of the United States except New York a divorce is now called dissolution of marriage. This change of name was accompanied by a change from fault-based divorce, whereby one party was found guilty of one of the grounds for divorce such as adultery, abandonment, or cruel and inhuman treatment. Now, under no-fault divorce, it is simply necessary to plead that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" or that there are "irreconcilable differences."

Canada
In Canada while civil and political rights are in the jurisdiction of the provinces of Canada, the Constitution of Canada specifically made marriage and divorce the realm of the federal government. Essentially this means that Canada's divorce law is uniform throughout Canada, even in Quebec, that differs from the other provinces in its use of the civil law as codified in the Civil Code of Quebec as opposed to the common law that is in force in the other provinces and generally interpreted in similar ways throughout the Anglo-Canadian provinces.

Japan
In Japan, under the national laws, divorce is a simple process of submitting a declaration to the relevant government office that says both spouses agree to divorce.

You can also carry out an "online divorce". The first online divorce occurred in 1999.

Attribition: This informational article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Divorce.