Divorce / Dissolution of Marriage

January 5, 2010

Great Britain Divorce Lawyers: Facebook Flirting Cited in Twenty Percent of Divorce Cases

Around fourteen million Brits use Facebook and other social networking sites to keep up with old friends or make new ones. A group of British divorce lawyers are claiming that social networking sites like Facebook are tempting people to cheat on their spouses – and the website has been cited in 20% of recent divorce cases. According to the attorneys, people are being caught having inappropriate sexual chats with people who are not their spouse, and in the electronic age it is just too easy for their spouse to catch them at it. Flirty emails and messages have been reported, as well as evidence of actual affairs.

In one case a woman discovered that her husband was planning to divorce her when she read his public status update on Facebook. In another case, a woman divorced her husband after learning he was carrying on a virtual affair with a woman he met on Second Life, a virtual world where people are able to reinvent themselves.

Some software companies are cashing in on the trend by developing applications that let suspicious spouses spy on their partner’s online activities. Read more about how social networking can ruin a marriage at Facebook fuelling divorce, research claims.

December 31, 2009

Florida Parental Relocation – What Florida Statute Applies?

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

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In Florida, parents of children are required to comply with Section 61.13001, Florida Statutes when dealing with a parental relocation with a child. The Florida legislature and Courts recognize that a relocation of a child can be quite traumatic and life changing for both the parent and the child. It is important for parents to comply with the terms of this statute whether the relocation is agreed upon or contested. Parents should always consider the best interest of the child in making decisions including but not limited to relocation. You can read about the details of this statute at the Official Site for Florida Statutes – Section 61.13001, Florida Statutes. Reading this statute and complying with its terms can be quite confusing and stressful for many parents. As such, it is advisable to retain the services of a Jacksonville, Florida Child Custody Attorney in order to make sure that the statute is being complied with and that the best interests of the child are being met.

December 31, 2009

New Year’s Resolution: File for Divorce

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year. But sometimes this joyous season can make people realize that they are not happy with their spouse. The holiday affect is presumed to be the culprit behind the fact that January is often the busiest month of the year for divorce attorneys. But what is it exactly that pushes marriages over the edge in December?

The coming New Year often brings a period of appraisal and reflection on one’s life. Those who have been struggling in a bad marriage may make a New Year’s resolution to give themselves a fresh start. There are also financial issues to be considered; there are tax advantages to finishing out the fiscal year with an unwanted spouse. It may also make it easier to sort out finances with all of the fresh information that becomes available at the start of tax season.

The stress of the holidays may also be to blame. Shopping, running up credit card bills and spending time with extended family can create additional stress on relationships. And of course there is always the office Christmas party, with alcohol increasing the chances for inappropriate behavior that may lead to infidelity.

December 31, 2009

Army, Marine Divorce Rates Continue to Climb in Jacksonville, Florida and the Rest of the Nation

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

A recent article in the Army Times compared the divorce rates of the four major service branches for the past year. Jacksonville, Florida and the North Florida area serve as bases to thousands of military couples and families. Unfortunately, like many others throughout the country, divorce rates involving Florida service members are quite high. At Wood, Atter & Wolf, we have represented a number of military spouses in issues including divorce, paternity, child support, child custody, and, in some cases, domestic violence.

While the Navy’s divorce rate decreased significantly and the Air Force’s rate remained about the same, both the Army and the Marines reported an increase in divorces among service members. Female soldiers suffered a divorce rate more than two times that of their male counterparts. The total number of divorces for all services combined was 27,312 out of nearly 800,000 married soldiers on active duty. This 3.6 annual divorce rate is a full percentage point above the rate measured in 2001, when the US started sending troops to Afghanistan.

The increasing rate is despite efforts by the military to help couples stay together. The military offers programs for struggling couples that focus on strengthening relationships and enriching family bonds. The programs are run by chaplains, mental health officials and family services agencies, and include retreats, counseling, workshops and other programs. A spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars said that when you throw eight years of war and separation into a relationship it has a tremendous impact on the family. Read more of the statistics on military divorces at Military Divorces continue to increase.

December 30, 2009

How Divorced Parents Can Ease the Pain And Conflict of the Holidays for their Children

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

For children of divorce, all too often the holidays are not a time of happiness – they are filled with dread, turmoil and chaos. Divorced parents are forced to navigate a range of issues, but it is possible for parents to help reduce conflict and confusion to make the holidays enjoyable for everyone.

For divorced parents, it is important to keep in mind that everyone experiences stress around the holidays. For divorced families, sadness is also a common emotion around this time of year, as people naturally remember holidays gone by. Add to this the holiday letdown when the credit card bills and tight pants rear their ugly heads in January, and you have a real recipe for disappointment and sadness.

The single most telling factor in how smoothly the holidays will go for children is how well their parents have adjusted to their new lives and to their parenting plans. Having two family celebrations can be great fun for kids – if their parents handle it well. This includes having realistic expectations about how much time the child will spend with each parent, not trying to outdo each other with gifts, and not making the child decide where to spend the holidays – this will only make the child feel guilty.

December 29, 2009

Two Time Victim of Domestic Abuse Turns Her Life Around

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

Mechelle Seals had very low self esteem and very little experience with men when she met her first husband. After a year of marriage, however, a fight ended in the man throwing Ms. Seals to the ground and threatening their four month old daughter with a gun. Her second husband verbally abused her, and was convicted of sexually abusing her mentally handicapped daughter.

She recently explained why she stayed with both of these men, what prompted her to leave them and how she has turned her life around. She says that the abuse in her first marriage started very gradually, first with little insults and nags, then accusations of infidelity. The first time he hit her, he had been drinking and she forgave him – she believed she could help him change. The second time he got physical with her, he held a gun to their child’s head and told her to get out. She managed to escape with the child. They eventually divorced and Ms. Seals moved to Florida to get a fresh start.

About ten years later she met and married her second husband. She still had low self esteem, and she fell for the man because he paid attention to her. Soon after the wedding, the man began verbally abusing her and her now twelve year old daughter, who has an IQ of 65. A few months later, the girl knocked on a neighbor’s door and reported that her step father had been sexually abusing her. Ms. Seals divorced her husband while he was in jail awaiting trial.

December 28, 2009

Charlie Sheen’s Wife Ready to Separate after Celebrity’s Christmas Arrest

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

Famous actor Charlie Sheen was arrested on Christmas day for an alleged assault on his wife, Brooke Mueller. But Sheen’s manager has told reporters that the couple is working out their differences amicably and has no plans to divorce. Other sources have reported that Mueller wants a separation. She has taken out a restraining order against her husband, and was recently seen vacationing without him. But she is also reportedly under a lot of pressure to change her story of the events on Christmas day; Sheen has a lot to lose and could face prison time if convicted.

The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for couples who are already not getting along. Of course, violence is never the answer – it is a crime. Sheen is entitled to his day in court. If he is found guilty of the domestic abuse charges, his fans can only hope that he gets the counseling he needs to stop abusing his partner(s). Read more about the arrest and the conflicting stories about a possible divorce at Charlie Sheen Doesn’t Want a Divorce.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence, please seek help immediately, and then contact our firm for expert, compassionate legal counsel.

December 25, 2009

London Divorce Firm Offers “Divorce Vouchers” Just in Time for the Holidays

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

A London law firm is offering an unusual gift option this year; interested parties may purchase Christmas gift vouchers, good toward a half hour consultation with one of the firm’s divorce lawyers. Lloyd, Platt & Company usually charges 325 pounds an hour, but is offering the gift vouchers at a discounted rate of 125 pounds for a half hour. The firm reports that they have been swamped with inquiries since they announced the gift vouchers in mid December. They have sold more than sixty. A firm spokesperson said they were amazed at the huge response to the vouchers.

The Church of England called the vouchers “sad,” saying that divorce is a private matter and a session with a divorce attorney is not really suitable as a gift. But interest in the vouchers could continue to soar as the holidays get underway. Christmas is a particularly stressful time for families, and the number of people seeking counsel with a divorce attorney peaks in January. Read the full story about these unusual Christmas gifts at Happy Christmas honey – here’s a divorce voucher.

Wood Atter and Wolf does not sell divorce gift vouchers, but if you are considering divorce, please contact our firm for divorce counsel and advice.

December 24, 2009

South Carolina First Lady, Jenny Sanford, Files for Divorce

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

Last June, South Carolina Governor Jim Sanford made national headlines when he took off for a secret rendezvous with his Argentinean mistress while telling staff he was hiking in the Appalachian Mountains. His wife of twenty years, Jenny Sanford, reports that she has actually been aware of the affair since last January, when she discovered a letter her husband had written to his mistress. Sanford then repeatedly asked his wife for permission to visit the other woman in Argentina.

After many attempts at reconciliation, Ms. Sanford finally filed for divorce. Her decision came just days after the state senate nearly recommended the removal of her husband from office for the clandestine trip, and just one day after Sanford told reporters he hoped they could reconcile. Ms. Sanford has said that she will work hard to keep the divorce civil for their entire family, which includes four school age sons.

When a partner cheats, it can be absolutely devastating to a marriage, especially when the indiscretion is so public. For the wronged partner, the decision is complicated by feelings of not wanting to look like a fool in front of the public. For Ms. Sanford’s part, she has said that her husband’s actions reflect poorly on him and that they have not damaged her self esteem. Sanford will be the first South Carolina governor to divorce while in office. Find out more about the Sanfords’ divorce and the events leading up to it at SC first lady wants divorce in wake of affair.

December 22, 2009

Domestic Abuse; Why do Some Women Return to the Person Who Battered Them?

By Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

Many people wonder why an abused woman would return to her abusive partner after leaving. According to therapists who treat such couples, reconciliation is quite common. Steve Stosny, the founder of CompassionPower, an anger and violence management program that treats individuals convicted of domestic abuse, discussed the phenomenon in an interview recently.

According to Stosny, victims of domestic abuse will leave their partner out of fear, anger, or retribution. But once those strong feelings start to fade, they feel guilt, shame, and anxiety – and those feelings can send them right back to their abusive partner. There is an emotional bond that is hard to break. Once the victim returns, there is often a honeymoon phase where the abuser apologizes and promises never to lose his temper again. But without therapy, the honeymoon doesn’t last.

Other professionals point to fear of change as a reason why a woman wouldn’t leave. A wealthy woman might not want to lose her lifestyle and for a poor woman, leaving might mean she has no way to support herself. In other cases, the man guilts the woman into staying by saying he will kill himself if she leaves.