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Weird Divorce News from MyDivorceDocuments.com

 

As the internet’s premiere source for Online Divorce Forms, we come across some of the most unusual, bizarre, and downright weirdest stories about divorce spanning all edges of the globe. On this fine three day weekend, we decided we would recap some of our favorite divorce stories that we have posted over the last couple of months. And trust us we have found some dandy stories related to divorce that are so odd you won’t believe they are actually true. About the only story we have yet to see is one that states not only is Elvis alive….but married to a space alien.

Our first story comes from Israel and maybe every mans nightmare. We know some are cat people and others aren’t. But for this poor chap we truly feel some pity. No matter how much you love animals at some point the love of animals becomes an obsession and compulsion and most think anything over 5 or 10 pets is too much. So we certainly think online divorce form downloads are in order when your spouse takes in over 550 cats. Once again, you can be the worlds biggest cat lover but over 550? We are not sure what the official ruling was on the case but we would think any amount of alimony would immediately be spent on catnip and kitty litter.

The next story comes from the Celebrity Divorce file as WWE professional wrestler superstar John Cena officially filed for divorce from his wife. The kicker here was the amount of speculation regarding how this divorce might effect his career as one of the most popular wrestlers of all time. Now are experts when it comes to online divorce forms but when it comes to professional wrestling we admittedly know very little. But are we out of line to ponder the folly of wondering about how divorce will affect his career when professional wrestling matches are predetermined and more about theatrics then actual athletics? We are not exactly talking about Cena in the same way we spoke about Tiger Woods or Andre Agassi are we?

When it comes to divoce we have heard the phrase “taken to the cleaners” fairly regularly. And sure when some in the divorce process end up on the short end of the stick some of the euphemisms can be quite over the top and generally embellished. But one would have a hard time trumping the story of Janine Nazzise of Colorado. We realize the divorce process can be cruel, but after living as a married woman and housewife for several years her husband decided he wanted out. In this case, he took some preemptive action and to make a long story short- Nazzise was left homeless. Two sides to every story but it is hard to think of anyone who can top being homeless as a result of divorce.

And finally, from last week’s blog this story just deserves another mention. In the 70′s Marvin Gaye’s wife divorced him….only to find he did not have much in the way of assets or income. The judge ordered that Gaye record an album and give the proceeds to his ex. Yes, we know that sounds it comes straight for a situation comedy but in this case of California Divorce it actually happened. So if you ever wondered what MyDivorceDocuments.com favorite album of all-time is look no further- “Here, My Dear” by Marvin Gaye is the hands down winner.

Online Divorce Forms; This week in Divorce News

 

As we approach the summer there has been a bevy of recent divorce news that can be found on the internet. This week we will tray and recap the news for our blog. As one of the leading providers on online divorce forms and divorce information we try to provide as much current how to get a divorce information as possible spanning all parts of the globe and all genres of divorce and the impact it has on our society.

From the world of sports we have a couple of divorce related stories. NFL All-Pro cornerback Quentin Jammer of the San Diego Chargers had one of the least productive seasons since joining the National Football League. Jammer, known as one of the NFL’s premiere cornerbacks recently admitted in an interview that his recent California divorce had without question impacted his on the field performance. When we think of professional sports sometimes we overlook the fact that these players are no different then a dentist or an auto mechanic, they have personal lives that sometimes will impact their professional lives. That is not weakness-that is humanist.

Also in the world of sports, or pseudo sports comes news of professional wrestler John Cena’s divorce. Yahoo Sports is reporting that the cause of the rift between Cena and wife Elizabeth, was tension that started over a home remodeling project. As the leading producer of Online Divorce Forms, we can clearly state that while they might cite the remodeling project as the spark, these issues generally stem from much larger issues that are not being effectively communicated. Much like the straw that broke the camel’s back and without knowing anything about the Cena’s, we have seen it all too often where a silly excuse for divorce which, at the surface seems ludicrous, is actually just the band aid on a much larger situation. In the case of Cena, his case is a bit different then Jammers, as Jammer actually is competing in a legitimate athletic endeavor.

From the Huffington Post we saw a story about celebrities who most people probably did not know were divorced. At the top of list comes Hollywood Playboy and all around ladies man George Clooney. Indeed the legendary bachelor was once married to Mad Men star Talia Balsam. Indeed, Clooney was married to Balsam from 1989 to 1993. We wonder if this news was simply not important enough to report or Clooney’s management felt that this news maybe would hurt his image as the swinging bachelor. We will go on record as saying, that while we are leaders of providing online divorce forms and not movie critics, we look forward to the day when Clooney can convincingly play a man who has problems attracting women and is not particularly clever not witty.

And finally from the Wall Street Journal we learned of the perils and pitfalls of dividing a 401K account during the divorce process. According to the story there is something known as Qualified Domestic Relation order which establishes a former spouses right to a portion of the ex’s retirement benefits. These type of legal claims states that spouses can mutually agree on how to split the account, and if they cant the court will step in and decide on their behalf with each state having different rules regarding the distribution.

Gray Divorce; Divorce after 50

 

A recent story on MSNBC is revealing what has been long suspected but never considered when discussing the Divorce Process; The divorce rate for people over 50 has doubled over the last 20 years according to new research done by Bowling Green State University. More surprising is that the majority of these divorces are being brought forth and initiated by females. The phenomena known as the “gray divorce” is breaking traditional concepts an notions regarding marriage beliefs in a big way and for the reasons that, once scratched beneath the surface, are not only not too surprising but also makes us think its amazing this is happening as late as it did and how.

At first glance this news may seem shocking, one would tend to assume that if you have been married to the same spouse for over fifteen or twenty years the rest of the marriage is a lock and probably never in doubt as to the couples commitments to each other. But that also relies on the assumption that people are stagnant and do not change. There is undoubtedly no question of the abject absurdity of that notion. Before asking “How to get a Divorce” we must acknowledge that notion that people do in fact change, and if the routine of marriage starts to seem oppressive towards someone wanting to fulfill a dream, a hobby, an item on the bucket list etc etc….the gray divorce takes on more of a realistic, sensible realization.

For those moving up in years the idea of not settling for a mundane lifestyle and not going gently into that last goodnight as Dylan Thomas so eloquently wrote is a brave, but not surprising move.
With routine comes familiarity, and familiarity breeds contempt. And later in life once the children have left the nest, the question of child support and custody issues are not at a factor. Who hasnt as some point in there life asked the question of “Is that all there is?” or decided it was well worth the risk to see if the grass really is greener? Regardless the reasons, divorce after 50 will become more and more common. As one of the leading provider of online divorce forms, quite frankly we see a lot of additional reason to gray divorce then simply being tired of the routine or bored of a spouse.

For starters, the advent of the internet has revolutionized the way we gather information. Furthermore, the advances in this technology that have given more people internet access then ever before with the easiest platforms to use means that even those who are deathly afraid of technology can still do the most basic of Google searches. For the housewife in Washington who always dreamed of the Parisian night life of France, being able to research a trip, book a flight, find a friend on Facebook etc etc has never been easier much less the ease of Online Divorce Forms simplifying the process even further. Throw in the number of people who develop online relationships and seek advice from those who they have never personally met means getting opinion and advice is far more accessible.

For instance, telling someone to divorce their spouse and seek out lifes adventures is far more easy to dispense when you have never actually met the person you are dispensing advice to….much less their spouse. Talking and making grandiose plans to an internet friend can take on bold news steps in brevity when working with the assumption you will never actually meet the person who is taking your advice. It is much easier to tell someone to get California Divorce when you do not know them and actually live in Florida. There are conversations that would never take place with your neighbor or a co-worker. Like it or not, the internet and the way we gather information and can form and build interpersonal relationships is a huge factor for those divorcing later in life. Rather than lamenting these changes as a negative-these changes are really just examples and symptomatic of the age in which we live.

California’s Most Misunderstood Divorce Laws

 

The ins and outs of any law can be detailed and confusing to anyone, especially anyone not practicing law. Therefore there are a bounty of misconceptions that come along with understanding any law. When these laws involve divorce, they can become infinitely more difficult to navigate and properly understand. Anything from property, assets, debts, child custody, alimony and more, are typically involved in divorce filing and proceedings. In California, the laws are just as hard to understand as anywhere else in the U.S. This being said, it is one of the states that has the most people confused about certain laws and asking the most questions. For that reasons, here are the top 5 questions asked in reference to divorce Laws in the Golden State, answered and debunked.

If we have a joint account that has occurred debt but my name is not on the credit card,  do I owe this debt incurred during marriage?

Marriages are seen as business partnerships under the law. The old adage, “what’s yours is mine” rings true for this frequently asked question. You can ultimately be held accountable for the debts that either spouse incurred during the marriage. This legal rule is put into effect in this manner because it in turn protects creditors from a spouse claiming that the debt acquired during the marriage belongs to the other person and not to them. If the debt was incurred while married, it does not matter whose name is listed on the credit cards.

If we have equal custody, does child support still need to be paid?

When parents share custody of children, even if the court has mandated that the custody is 50/50, child support can be ordered by the court. Gross incomes of both parties and actual timeshare of the child have the biggest impact on this decision. If the incomes of the parents are not almost equally matched, there will be some kind of child support exposure for the greater earner.

How long should I wait until I get remarried?

It is imperative that you get a court to issue a judgment that terminates your marital status before you pursue anything as far as another legal marriage. The earliest you can terminate your marriage and be returned to the status of a single person is 6 months from the date a filed divorce  petition is served on the other spouse and no sooner.

If either of us remarry, does the child support amount increase or decrease?

The simple answer to this question is that the income of a new spouse or partner of a parent obligated to pay support cannot be used as a factor to reduce child support.

Do you have to be married for at least 10 years to get a part of your ex-spouse’s pension rights?

Any of the earnings that are acquired from the date of marriage to the date of separation is considered community property. This means that under the law, all money acquired and used towards retirement benefits, pensions, profit sharing and stocks, will be community.  The length of marriage has no bearing on your right to the community property acquired from date of marriage to date of separation. The moment you are legally married, is when those rights go into effect.

There are a number of other questions that are commonly asked when California divorce is brought into question, however these ones are some of the top questions that are often misconstrued when answered. Hopefully these condensed answers have helped you with any questions or concerns you may have. Remember, your local courthouse that specializes in family law, will always be able to help you with these types of questions or concerns.

Divorcing an Absent Spouse

200259869-001Divorce is a difficult enough process between the court fees and dealing with your spouse. However, divorce without a spouse is just as difficult, if not more stressful. No, you didn’t read that wrong, divorce can be done without knowing where your spouse is.

While some people may be thinking “If only I didn’t know where my spouse was…” those who are in this unique situation are wishing it were otherwise. But the American judicial system is not that cruel as to deny a person a divorce just because their spouse is nowhere to be found.

Search for the Absent Spouse

It is easier to complete divorce process with an absent spouse in some states than others. Most states with the no-fault option, like California, have provisions for spouses seeking a divorce who do not know the whereabouts of their spouse.

It is recommended to make all efforts of locating your spouse, and record your efforts before filing the divorce forms. Essentially, you will have to prove to the court you have exhausted all options of finding your spouse. If you’re at a loss for where to begin, we have compiled a list of the recommended ways of attempting to locate your spouse.

  • Search the phone book

  • Contact their last known employer for information about their current whereabouts

  • Check with the post office to see if they left a forwarding address

  • Check at their last known residence

  • Contact any and all friends or relatives you can for information

  • Send emails or social media messages to their email or profile

  • Check with the DMV, voter registry, and other public records offices

  • Hire a private investigator, if absolutely necessary

File the Divorce Petition

If you have exhausted your search options and still have not found your spouse, then their is one option left: Divorce by publication. The filing process is very similar to a regular divorce proceeding, except for a few things. Included in the regular paperwork is an application for a divorce by publication. To proceed with the divorce by publication, you must provide the court with the evidence of your extensive search.

If the judge accepts the proof of your search, they will grant you a divorce by publication. Then, the court will place an ad in the local newspaper in the area where your spouse is either believed to be or in your spouse’s last known location. The ad will be of the divorce summons, and will include all information about your case, including where your spouse should respond to the divorce summons.

The ad will run in the newspaper for a certain number of weeks, depending on which state the search is taking place. In California, the divorce by publication ad will run in the newspaper once a week for 4 weeks in a row. After the running of the ad, your spouse has 30 days to respond to the court regarding the divorce.

If the spouse does not respond within the grace period, you will be granted a default divorce. However, in California, the courts will not make judgements about any joint property, assets, or child-related matters.

Can I Use an Online Divorce Forms Service?

The divorce by publication process can be completed by an online divorce forms service, like MyDivorceDocuments.com, as long as the aforementioned steps are taken. However, it is advised to research the divorce by publication process in your specific state before beginning the divorce process.

The Evolution of Child Custody

history of child custodyLittle more than a decade ago, it was estimated that 90% of child custody was settled with the mother gaining full custody of the children. This obvious imbalance in custodial arrangements has made fathers all over America wonder at the horrible injustice and sex discrimination perpetrated by American courts.

But the courts didn’t just wake up one day and decide mothers were better parents; and family court judges are not battling Oedipus complexes. The reason about 90% of mothers received child custody in the past is due to a little thing called the Tender Years Doctrine. But we’ll get to the Tender Years Doctrine in a bit; first we have to make our way through a short history of the evolution of child custody law.

From Ancient Rome to 2013 America

Roman common law, established around 439 B.C., dictated that children of a marriage were the property of the father. This meant if a Roman husband and wife divorced, the children stayed with the father and the mother left.

Jump ahead hundreds of years to English common law, established around 1000 A.D., which upheld the same child custody outline as Roman common law. Simply carry the same basic common laws over into the founding of America, and you have the basis of American custody laws. The law theory pertaining to child custody was that the father was the only suitable parent to teach the children the ways of the world.

However, hundreds of years later during the time of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800′s, the question of what was best for the child became the focus.

Tender Years Doctrine

The Tender Years Doctrine replaced old Roman and English common law child custody arrangements by giving mothers custody of children, until the age of 6. This change was spurred by the Industrial Revolution’s impact on family structure.

The Industrial Revolution caused men to seek jobs away from the remote villages the English people lived in up until that point. The absence of husbands and fathers forced women and mothers to handle the housekeeping and child rearing completely by themselves. When divorces occurred during this time, the courts saw how impossible it would be for fathers to continue to take full custody of the children.

The Tender Years Doctrine stated that children under the age of 6 were too young to leave their mother’s love and care. However, once children grew older, they were of sufficient age and maturity to follow their fathers to industrial towns to work. In America, the Tender Years Doctrine extended the mother’s custody indefinitely, which is the cause of the statistic describing mothers retaining child custody 90% of the time after a divorce.

Do We Have a New Doctrine?

The 1960′s marked the beginning of the divorce spike, which peaked in the 1980′s; but the divorce revolution also sparked a child custody revolution in the U.S. The new child custody doctrine is defined not by the gender of the custodian (a.k.a. the parent granted with child custody), but by the best interests of the child.

So far, this new “best interests” custody doctrine adopted by American family law courts has created the joint custody option. The first joint custody statute was implemented in California in 1979; by 1991, joint custody was written into more than 40 state statutes.

But here’s the catch: Many people are still seeing mothers gaining preferential custody rights in the divorce process. This claim produces many questions, like “Is this still true today?”

Check back with us later this week for the answer to that question.