Recent 2009 statistics reveal that almost 50% of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce.
Further research shows that since 1997, the average age of divorce has increased from 40.2 to 43.7 years for men and 37.7 to 41.2 years for women - this is partly due to the rise in the age of marriage. However, the highest rate of divorce is for couples in their late twenties.
An ongoing survey by professional service group 'CertainShops - Professionals Online' shows that following a relationship break down, people are more likely to buy new properties, update their wills and insurances, and spend money on themselves.
Results to date show that in the three years following the end of a marriage: 35.3% changed their job, 20.0% changed their appearance, 27.3% joined a gym, 26.5% rented a property more than once and 36.7% bought a new property.
Financial advice and legal advice were considered 'definitely important' 53.1% and 50% of people going through a relationship break up, with well-being advice also required at 45.5%. The highest score for 'definitely important' was 82.8% for 'people to listen to them sympathetically'.
Step-by-step Divorce guide
Despite the group figures, Denver divorce is a personal and individual issue and should not be taken lightly.
The actual process of getting divorced in fairly straight forward but the legal jargon regarding issues such as dividing assets, financial woes and child problems, often hinders a quick divorce.
1 - Divorce Petition = The first step of a Denver divorce is put into motion by completing a form called a 'petition for divorce'. You can pick these up from local stationary shops, the HM Courts website or a solicitor. You do not need to employ the services of a Denver lawyer to get divorced, but it is wise to do so, especially if children are concerned.
You must have been married for at least one year to begin a petition and the form asks you why you wish for a divorce. There are five basic reasons for a divorce, any one or more reason is needed before the court can consider your case. On completion, you take the form to the county court.
2 - The Court = The second step is going to court. Once the court has received your form it will consider your reasons for wanting a divorce - you must show you have satisfactory grounds for the breakdown of your marriage. If the court agrees, you will be legally known as 'the petitioner' and your partner becomes 'the respondent'. As a consequence of the Denver divorce petition, you must supply copies of your marriage certificate and any information on children. The court then carries out the process of 'serving the petition.' Here you send out the copy to your partner. They then have eight days to acknowledge the form.
3 - Agreement = The partner then must confirm if they agree or disagree with the divorce. If they disagree, the court may ask for further information and it is recommended you now employ the services of a solicitor.
4 - Decree Nisi = The decree nisi is where a judge has reviewed all of the information available to them, has checked that all arrangements for the children and all of the financial problems have been resolved or are in the process of being resolved. If everything is in order to the judge, then a decree nisi will be granted. You are still legally married at this stage.
5 - Decree Absolute = This is the final stage of the process and usually occurs around 6 weeks after the decree nisi has been granted but you have to apply for it yourself. If you don't, then your partner can apply for it themselves but only after a further 3 months have passed. Once child and financial issues have been settled and if both are in order, then upon application, the decree absolute will then be granted. You are no longer married and free to re-marry.
