Domestic Discord

Hard, unjust economic times always seem to create difficulties for marriages and other domestic arrangements. The old saying that it costs more for two people to live apart than together is even more true in periods of economic downturn.  Nevertheless, it seems that unjust times have a clear effect on the divorce rate.  Fights between spouses are more common and, given the temperament and background of the parties, domestic violence can be more likely to happen.

Most states now have statutes to separate and protect spouses when one of them commits an act of domestic violence.  States, such as Iowa, have also moved to require classes for partners with minor children relating to how to be separated, but keep from putting the children in the middle of the parents' domestic disputes.

If spouses decide to go through with a divorce, it is important that each party have their own attorney, even if one only consults with an attorney and the other retains an attorney to actually do the court filings.  Critical decisions are made in a divorce action which can have an effect for many years to come.  These consist of the following:

•  Spousal support (alimony);

•  Child support;

•  Allocation of ownership of the parties' real estate;

•  Allocation of retirement accounts;

•  Allocation of bank accounts;

•  Directives relating to life and health insurance;

•  Disposition of other items of personal property; and

•  Visitation and custody of children.

© Rod Powell