TOP 5 THINGS T H I S D I VO R C E L AW Y E R WA N T S Y O U T O K N OW A B O U T D I VO R C E Special to 919 Magazine Marriage and divorce are both common occurrences. According to the American Psychological Association, healthy marriages are
could fast forward to the fallout that results to families, children, finances, and futures when there is a divorce, they might think
good for couples’ mental and physical health, and they are also
twice before opening that door.
good for the mental, physical, and social needs of children.
BE AN AC T IVE PART IC IPAN T IN P ROTE CTING
However, divorce lurks in the back of the minds of even the
YOU R MARRIAG E
happiest couples. Why? Although reported divorce statistics are imprecise at somewhere between 40-50 percent, everyone knows someone who has gotten a divorce.
If you want to protect your marriage, make it your first priority and not something you try to salvage after years of putting in less than your best effort. Divorce often occurs when spous-
As someone who has represented divorcing couples for almost
es take their marriage for granted. If you fail to nurture your
25 years, Cathy Hunt, Partner at the law firm of Gailor, Hunt,
relationship, it leaves it vulnerable to intrusion and potentially
Jenkins, Davis, and Taylor, shares her unique perspective on the
destruction. People falsely assume that their spouse will always
common causes, costs, and protections against divorce.
be there regardless of how they behave or treat them.
TH E M OST COM M O N CAU S E S O F D I VO R CE
There is often a martial loafing that occurs over time. If you want
Adultery is a common theme in divorce, and social media has
anything to thrive it requires diligence. A marriage is no excep-
opened a door for easy contact that has not always been available. Sometimes people fall prey to the attention and excitement they get when someone new shows interest. Money and finances are also a common problem in marriages, especially when it causes an imbalance of power between the wage earner and a stay at home spouse – even if that arrangement was by agreement. When there is an imbalance of power,
tion. Purposely investing your time and attention in your marriage in a meaningful way is one of the best ways to protect your marriage. In addition, accept that that at some point all spouses will be faced with some type of temptation. Being aware of that fact and being on guard in advance makes it easier to avoid the Facebook friend request that you should not accept. T HE G RASS IS N OT ALWAYS G REEN ER
either spouse is vulnerable to attention they might receive from
Given that the divorce rate for second marriages is higher than
someone who sees them in a different light. However, if they
the divorce rate for first marriages, the evidence supports the
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919 Magazine
www.919Magazine.com
January/February 2020
