DivorceDivorce

How can divorce affect a How can divorce affect a family?family?

DivorceDivorce

Divorce – a legal way to end a Divorce – a legal way to end a marriage in which a judge or court marriage in which a judge or court decides the terms with respect to decides the terms with respect to property, child custody and spousal property, child custody and spousal support.support.– Spousal support or alimony usually goes to Spousal support or alimony usually goes to

the spouse who makes less moneythe spouse who makes less money– There are a lot of different factors that go There are a lot of different factors that go

into spousal support. into spousal support. – Child support must be paid until the child Child support must be paid until the child

reaches 18 years of age.reaches 18 years of age.

What to know about What to know about divorcedivorce Marital Conflict Resolution – a process Marital Conflict Resolution – a process

in which marital partners identify their in which marital partners identify their problems, agree on a solution and problems, agree on a solution and reestablish their intimacyreestablish their intimacy

Outside Intervention (Couples Outside Intervention (Couples Therapy) – When a couple is unable to Therapy) – When a couple is unable to resolve their problems on their own, resolve their problems on their own, may get help resolving their problems may get help resolving their problems by going to a counselor or therapist.by going to a counselor or therapist.

What Happens Next?What Happens Next?

If problems continue…If problems continue…– The married couple may separateThe married couple may separate

Marital Separation – a cessation of Marital Separation – a cessation of cohabitation between a married couple cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement or judicial by mutual agreement or judicial decreedecree

If the problems continue…If the problems continue…– The married couple may divorceThe married couple may divorce– There are 6 stages of divorceThere are 6 stages of divorce

6 Stages of Divorce6 Stages of Divorce

43% of all 143% of all 1stst marriages end in marriages end in divorce…divorce…

Stage 1Stage 1– The marriage deteriorates. This The marriage deteriorates. This

stage can last several yearsstage can last several years Couples may try working problems out Couples may try working problems out

or going through couples therapyor going through couples therapy

6 Stages of Divorce6 Stages of Divorce

Stage 2Stage 2– One or both partners seek legal counsel to One or both partners seek legal counsel to

end the marriageend the marriage Annulment – a legal way to end a Annulment – a legal way to end a

marriage when it’s decided that the marriage when it’s decided that the marriage was not legally binding.marriage was not legally binding.

Dissolution – a legal way to end a Dissolution – a legal way to end a marriage in which the marriage partners marriage in which the marriage partners themselves decide the terms with themselves decide the terms with respect to property, custody and respect to property, custody and supportsupport

6 Stages of Divorce6 Stages of Divorce

Stage 3Stage 3– Issues regarding property and support Issues regarding property and support

are finalizedare finalized Spousal Support – money paid to Spousal Support – money paid to

one partner by the other partner for one partner by the other partner for living. The partner who pays living. The partner who pays spousal support is usually the spousal support is usually the partner who has the greater ability partner who has the greater ability to earn money.to earn money.

6 Stages of Divorce6 Stages of Divorce

Stage 4Stage 4– Issues of child custody, visitation rights, and child Issues of child custody, visitation rights, and child

support are negotiated, and the divorce is finalizedsupport are negotiated, and the divorce is finalized Single Custody – one parent has legal Single Custody – one parent has legal

custody of the child/childrencustody of the child/children Joint Custody – an arrangement in which both Joint Custody – an arrangement in which both

parents keep legal custodyparents keep legal custody– Visitation Rights: guidelines set for the visitation of Visitation Rights: guidelines set for the visitation of

children by the parent who does not have custodychildren by the parent who does not have custody– Grandparents Rights: visitation rights awarded to Grandparents Rights: visitation rights awarded to

grandparents after their son/daughter are divorcedgrandparents after their son/daughter are divorced

6 Stages of Divorce6 Stages of Divorce

Stage 5Stage 5– Each of the partners establishes a new Each of the partners establishes a new

identity with family, friends, and co-identity with family, friends, and co-workersworkers

Stage 6Stage 6– Each of the partners makes emotional Each of the partners makes emotional

adjustments to the new lifestyle that adjustments to the new lifestyle that results from being divorced. This stage of results from being divorced. This stage of divorce affects both marriage partners and divorce affects both marriage partners and their childrentheir children

The Effects of DivorceThe Effects of Divorce

Have you been through a parental Have you been through a parental divorce?divorce?

Do you know someone who’s Do you know someone who’s parents got a divorce?parents got a divorce?– How does the divorce affect the How does the divorce affect the

child or children?child or children?

Effects of DivorceEffects of Divorce

Feeling a loss of Feeling a loss of controlcontrol

Spending less Spending less time with parentstime with parents

Declining Declining academic academic performanceperformance

GrievingGrieving

Acting out with Acting out with harmful behaviorsharmful behaviors

Resenting Resenting parental datingparental dating

Having difficulties Having difficulties in relationshipsin relationships

Having symptoms Having symptoms of anxiety and of anxiety and stressstress

Divorce 5 Minute Divorce 5 Minute CheckCheck1.1. What percent of first marriages end in What percent of first marriages end in

marital separation or divorce?marital separation or divorce?2.2. What is the difference between a divorce What is the difference between a divorce

and a dissolution?and a dissolution?3.3. Why is outside intervention necessary Why is outside intervention necessary

sometimes to help married couples solve sometimes to help married couples solve their problems?their problems?

4.4. Why is it dangerous to try to use drugs or Why is it dangerous to try to use drugs or alcohol to help you dull the pain of a alcohol to help you dull the pain of a divorce?divorce?

5.5. Why might teens spend less time with their Why might teens spend less time with their parents after a divorce?parents after a divorce?