“Curious about how the US is fairing against the rest of the world in terms of divorce rates? What about the old 50/50 rule?  Find out some interesting information on divorce statistics.”

If you're living in Daytona and divorce attorney-searching for answers to legal questions, then this statistical report might be of interest to you.  You've probably heard that divorce rates are as high as 50% in America.  However, have you actually studied divorce statistics for 2012?  Doing so will give you an interesting glimpse into our society, that of our neighbors, and a world view.

For instance, the highest divorce rate in the world is actually in Russia, followed by Belarus, the Ukraine, Moldova and the Cayman Islands.  The United States had the highest divorce rate for an English world power, as the UK wasn't even ranked on the top 10.

The latest developments indicate that the overall rate of divorce dropped in 2012—perhaps we were all waiting to see if the world truly ended?  The US's much reported “50/50” chance of a marriage working out is not entirely accurate—it really depends on the demographic one is analyzing.  According to the Americans for Divorce Reform the actual percentage of failed marriages is closer to 40% or slightly higher in the US.  There are also major differences when analyzing different age groups.  For instance, women under the age of 20 have a 27% rate of divorce, while men have an 11.7% rate.  However, 36.6% of women divorce by age 20-24, whereas only 8.5% of women ages 30-34 divorce—at least according to the latest 2011 and 2012 figures.

The divorce rate also increases for second and third marriages, as 67% of second marriages and 74% of third marriages end in divorce, as shown by data compiled by the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri.

What about the baby band-aid solution, aka choosing to not get divorced because of the children?  It's still a fact, as couples with children tend to have lower rate of divorce than childless couples.  Some researchers go so far as to say that childless marriages can actually cause divorce, as the absence of children leads to loneliness and boredom faster.  Statistically speaking, they may have something there since 66% of all divorces are coming from childless couples.

Lastly, what about the overall population?  As of 2011 and 2012, an estimated 68.8% of the population in the US is married while 65% are single, 59.7% are divorced and 55.9% are currently legally separated.  Overall, at least for the time being, the happily married folks are still the higher population.

Fortunately, there are laws in Daytona and throughout the US that can protect men from outlandish divorce settlements.  If you are looking for legal advice, don't hesitate to contact a Daytona attorney and ask about your options.

By Kenny Leigh

“Before making an impulsive decision it is important to think about the future and the past.  Ask yourself some serious questions about love, marriage and passion before you say 'I don't.'”

Have you really thought a divorce through...or is this going to to be a Homer Simpson “D'oh!” moment years later, when you reflect?  In marriage, it's so easy to make rash or even hasty decisions when we're angry.  However, a man can often underestimate or lose focus of the real things that matter in life when he is emotional or feeling stressed.

And sure, sometimes a man just makes a huge mistake and marries the Mrs. Wrong.  The bottom line is only you can decide if you made a mistake and if divorce is the best answer, or if this is indeed just a troubled year, and you really do want to make things work with your spouse.  Before announcing any plans to divorce, and seeking a Daytona attorney, and before fantasizing about your new life as a single man, be sure to consider all of the details.  For example:

Some Tough Questions to Consider

1. Is it just about sex or are you incompatible in everything else?

It's quite common to become bored sexually and to suffer from a lack of chemical attraction—the stuff that was so fun during dating.  However, your sex life can probably be repaired, and besides, some relationships survive sexual woes year after year.  Ask yourself if your imminent divorce is just about sex or is it everything else?

2. Are you still friends?

One of the surest signs of imminent divorce is if you truly have no friendly feelings left for your spouse, and vice versa.  A marriage is not built on excitement and passion, but on companionship, on shared interests and on mutual respect.  If you are not able to talk to your mate honestly, enjoy life together and enjoy the human experience then it is likely the friendship is dead, and the marriage is a skeleton.

3. Have you become a prisoner in your own home?

This doesn't merely apply to abusive relationships, but also relationships in which you are truly unhappy—just going through the motions and completely miserable in life.  This is not normal, and a sad state of affairs.  Of course, there is a big difference between being bored occasionally and dreading your life, as if you were a “prisoner” stuck in a bad marriage.  Remember, there is always downtime with every partner you're ever going to meet.  You don't want constant excitement in life...you want a partner that appreciates all of your moods, just as you appreciate all of her quirks.  Marriage should be about inner peace and sometimes even beautiful quiet; and if you don't have that then maybe it's time to ask some hard questions.

4. Do you share any passions?

We're not talking about passion or lust, but life passion.  The most in-love couples tend to do things together, to have shared values and common interests.  These aren't just hobbies but life pursuits.  The closer you match your spouse, the better you will get along.  A lack of sexual passion is one thing...a lack of life passion is something far more importance.

5. How much do you miss things?

And by things, we mean “familiarity”...routines...and the “stuff” that has defined your marriage.  This is not merely a materialistic outlook (although, yes, you should consider how much stuff and cash you're going to lose before you think of filing) but a lifestyle issue, and perhaps even a sentimental issue.  What about losing your comfortable lifestyle?  What about losing your nostalgic collectibles or beloved family pets?  Sometimes in a blaze of anger or passion, we forget to think about the “stuff”- the little things in life that do make us happy.

For more information on divorce law, settlements and financial obligations, talk to a Daytona attorney and get the facts.

By Kenny Leigh

“How can you get your 'groove' back when you are divorced and ready to date?  For starters, make sure you're really ready and aren't moving on too soon!”

While it's always easy to fantasize about being single again...it's quite a different thing to actually go out and date.  Even as a middle aged or young man, full of testosterone and virility, you may start to feel shy or even inadequate when you're going out there and once again looking for love.  This time, things may be different.  Maybe you've undergone some major physical changes.  Maybe you have a lot of emotional baggage to drag behind you.

“Is alimony tax-deductible?  The answer may surprise you, especially if you're feeling frustrated over all that lost income.”

It's what every divorced man wonders, as he is driven to much frustration year in and year out, as alimony payments never seem to stop coming.  And sure, it's hard to like the idea of forced alimony, since unlike child support that money is not really going towards your extended family or towards your future investment.  Let's consider this issue from the point of view of a Daytona attorney.

“Nothing in school readies you for how to prepare for the divorce process.  However, here is a little guy to guy advice on the best course of action to take.”

Divorce—they never teach you this stuff in school!  And yet this is the sort of thing that can destroy your life instantly.  The key to living through divorce and not letting it eat you from the inside out is to prepare for the event, the legal aspects, the financial aspects and the emotional aspects that will be hard.