Divorce (or the dissolution of marriage) is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties (unlike annulment, which declares the marriage null and void). Divorce laws vary considerably around the world, but in most countries it requires the sanction of a court or other authority in a legal process. The legal process of divorce may also involve issues of alimony (spousal support), child custody, child support, distribution of property, and division of debt. In most countries monogamy is required by law, so divorce allows each former partner to marry another; where polygyny is legal but polyandry is not, divorce allows the woman to marry a new husband.
Divorce is the legal breakup of a marriage. Almost thirty percent of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. Like every major life change, divorce is stressful. It affects finances, living arrangements, household jobs, schedules and more. If the family includes children, they may be deeply affected.
A number of countries have since the 1970s legislated to permit divorce, including Italy (1970), Spain (1981), Ireland (1996) and Malta (2010). Today, the only countries which do not allow divorce are the Philippines (though Muslims have the right to divorce) and the Vatican City, an ecclesiastical state, which has no procedure for divorce.
"Divorcing one's parents" is a term sometimes used to refer to emancipation of minors.
Other articles related to "divorce, divorces":
... Economics Review, women currently file slightly more than two-thirds of divorce cases in the United States ... by women in some states just after no-fault divorce was introduced, according to the paper ... that among college-educated couples, the percentages of divorces initiated by women is approximately 90% ...
... The couple filed for divorce on November 17, 2004 (one day after their fifth wedding anniversary) in Las Vegas, Nevada, citing "incompatible in marriage" as the reason ... She had been pressing him for divorce for some time – reportedly, the couple had been considering divorce in 2001 ...
... This article is a general overview of divorce laws around the world ... Every nation in the world has divorce laws except the Philippines (though Muslims have the right to divorce) and the Vatican City, an ecclesiastical sovereign ...
... The laws of gittin only provide for a divorce initiated by the husband ... However, the wife has the right to sue for divorce in a rabbinical court ... just cause, will require the husband to divorce his wife ...
... The law of divorce in South Africa is codified in the Divorce Act, 1979 ... The law provides for no-fault divorce based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marital relationship ... A divorce may also be obtained on the grounds of incurable mental illness for two years, or continuous unconsciousness for six months ...
Famous quotes containing the word divorce:
“This habit of free speaking at ladies lunches has impaired society; it has doubtless led to many of the tragedies of divorce and marital unhappiness. Could society be deaf and dumb and Congress abolished for a season, what a happy and peaceful life one could lead!”
—M. E. W. Sherwood (18261903)
“I do not consider divorce an evil by any means. It is just as much a refuge for women married to brutal men as Canada was to the slaves of brutal masters.”
—Susan B. Anthony (18201906)
“Ever since you came back from Tibet Ive had a feeling you were planning to divorce me and marry a laboratory.”
—John Colton (18861946)