Family Law Blog

UA Study Reveals Higher Likelihood of Early Death for Divorced Adults

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on January 19, 2012

Divorce can have a wide range of effects on an individual. Most effects, such as general depression, loneliness, frustration, financial instability, and even relief, are common. But, according to USA Today, divorce can do much more than just make a person feel depressed; it may lead to an early death.

A recent review of over 30 published studies by the University of Arizona (UA) found that divorced adults experience a higher risk of early death than married adults. In fact, divorced adults are 23 percent more likely to die early, according to data collected by researchers while tracking certain couples for 11 years.

The health risks of divorce were found to be similar to the health risks of other established health issues, such as smoking, alcoholism and being overweight. Divorced men were found to be at a higher risk of early death than divorced women. The study does not conclude that divorce 100 percent leads to early death, just that it is a risk factor that may increase the chances of early death. Most divorced adults actually move on to higher levels of satisfaction and even remarry.

The UA study was published in Perspectives on Psychological Science and analyzed 32 studies which involved 11 countries and 6.5 million adults over the course of 27 years. It does present an important “chicken or the egg” question, however: Does divorce lead to poor health, or does poor health lead to divorce?

The relationship between a husband and wife can be very complicated, and though studies can reveal certain trends, they by no means predict what will happen to every couple. Divorce is often the most important step to finding happiness. At Kaplan Law, LLC, our experienced divorce lawyers in Colorado understand that divorce, though a difficult decision to make, may be necessary for the health and well-being of a couple. If you are considering a divorce in Colorado, contact us today for a consultation of your legal rights and options at (303) 458-5500.

Colorado Divorce Rate Drops Along With Housing Values

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on June 16, 2011

As housing values have fallen in recent years, the Colorado divorce rate has gone along with them, according to an article in The Denver Post. Over the last several years, divorce lawyers in Colorado have noticed a decrease in the number of people seeking to end their marriages. Prior to the recession, a spouse who was allowed to keep the family’s house during a divorce usually came out of the divorce doing well, financially. That changed, however, when the housing bubble burst. Recently, many couples have put off divorce because neither one can afford to be saddled with the debt attached to the family home; particularly if the couple is “underwater”, or owes more money than the house is currently worth.

In 2011, the Colorado divorce rate hit a near-record low of 4.2 percent per 1,000 people. While this may sound like good news, it also means that the economy is forcing people to live together who, in better times, would choose to live separate lives. In the face of underwater mortgages, unemployment, and rising food and energy costs, many people feel unable to find the resources to divorce, even if they want to do so.

Divorce is an emotionally charged process, and it can be difficult to focus on the financial facts of what you will need to live on once the marriage ends. The experienced Colorado divorce lawyers at Kaplan Law can help. We will discuss your needs and wants with you and fight to ensure you have what you need to move on with your life. To learn more, call Kaplan Law today at 1-877-527-5260 for a free and confidential consultation.

Recession May Affect Colorado Divorce Rates

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on February 22, 2011

As a recession deepens, couples may set aside plans to divorce, either for personal or financial reasons, but when the economy bounces back, couples may revisit those divorce plans once more, according to a recent study at the University of Virginia.

The National Marriage Project, housed at the University of Virginia, recently released a study of the effect of the economy on divorce rates, and followed 1,129 couples between the ages 18 to 45. The “Survey of Marital Generosity” found that during the recent recession, 29 percent of married Americans believed their marriage improved. In addition, 38 percent of couples who had been considering getting a divorce changed their minds.

The study’s author W. Brad Wilcox says that the data reflects one of marriage’s basic functions: to provide mutual support to two adults. When times get tough, couples may gain a new respect for one another by weathering the storm together, according to Wilcox. In addition, financial pressures may make it difficult or even impossible for a married couple to subsist on their own, leading to the decision to stay together even though neither spouse believes the marriage can still work.

Financial concerns loom large during both marriage and divorce. If you are thinking about getting a divorce in Colorado, consulting an experienced Denver family law attorney like those at Kaplan Law, L.L.C. can help you put matters in perspective and figure out what the best option is for you and your family – including how to protect your financial needs and concerns. To schedule a free consultation, call Kaplan Law today at 1-877-527-5260.

Is Facebook a Factor in Divorce Cases?

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on February 8, 2011

Some family law attorneys seem to think so.

According to a recent article in The Telegraph, family law offices all over the world are seeing more and more divorce cases in which one spouse blames the other’s Facebook activities for driving a wedge between the couple. One UK lawyer stated that her previous 30 divorce cases involved Facebook.

Facebook use becomes an issue in divorce cases when one or both spouses use the service to connect with old and new friends. Sometimes, one of these friendships deepens, resulting in an emotional or physical affair. In some cases, the infidelity doesn’t even have to be real: a particularly suspicious husband or wife might feel hurt by his or her spouse’s use of Facebook, even if the spouse is not romantically interested in anyone online.

In addition, Facebook use during and after divorce proceedings has led to hurt feelings and court cases. Since everyone on a Facebook user’s friends list can see what the user posts to their “wall,” accusations, insults, and other comments made in a moment of anger may come back to haunt couples when it’s time to appear in divorce court.

To keep Facebook from complicating your Colorado divorce, you may want to set your Facebook profile’s privacy controls to prevent anyone but your Facebook friends from seeing your page. You should also never post anything to Facebook that you would not want the judge hearing your divorce case to know about. Better yet, don’t discuss your relationship or divorce on Facebook at all.

If you are considering filing for divorce in Colorado, the experienced Colorado divorce attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC can help. Call 1-877-527-5260 today for more information.

Military Personnel Protect Our Country, but Marriages May Suffer Nevertheless

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on November 4, 2009

A recent examiner.com article discusses the unfortunate tendency for spouses of military personnel to grow so tiresome of their significant other’s deployment that divorce becomes a solution to the problem. The story cites another article from the Washington post that explains how the commanding officers of soldiers that find themselves on the verge of divorce have the ultimate say over whether or not the soldier is granted an emergency leave on the grounds of correcting problems at home, including a looming divorce.

Among the many reasons often cited for divorce amongst military families is a lack of interaction that a deployed soldier has with his or her spouse. Feelings of abandonment and loneliness may slowly creep up on unsuspecting spouses when their significant other is deployed overseas or even out of state. Child custody and other issues arise in many divorce proceedings, and child custody can often be difficult for a deployed soldier to contend with. In all cases where divorce seems like a likely possibility, and especially if children are involved, an individual’s best course of action is to retain the services of a skilled Denver child custody attorney who will see to it that all decisions made in regard to divorce are as equitable as possible for both parties involved.

According to the article, many states have passed laws preventing military deployment as being cited as a significant reason for seeking a divorce. To ensure that your rights are upheld in a court of law, don’t hesitate to contact the family law attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC. Our experienced divorce lawyers have represented a large number of clients in a variety of divorce proceedings, and are prepared to make your divorce proceedings as stress-free as possible. Our Denver family law attorneys understand how complex such situations can be, and are prepared to handle every detail of your case so that you don’t have to. Please call Kaplan Law, LLC today at 1-877-527-5206 for more information about divorce and your possible options.

Source:http://www.examiner.com/x-3145-Miami-Relationships-Examiner~y2009m9d6-Custody-battles-and-divorce-in-military-families

Economic Woes Can Prolong Divorce

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on October 21, 2009

A recent article featured on the website ozarksfirst.com discussed the impact that the down trodden economy is having on married couples and those looking to marry. Specifically, the website cites USA Today and MSN Money reports that explain how people seem to be holding off on both marriage and filing for divorce due to worries regarding the potential costs associated with each. According to the national average, one out of every two marriages will end in divorce. However, one can assume that, if people truly are putting off divorce due to the potential monetary costs associated with it, then the number of couples that actually want a divorce could be much greater than the 50% who actually go through with it.

The article reasons that many individuals may be either unemployed or underemployed, and that could be the reason why divorces and marriages are being put off. Financial struggles are one of the most common reasons cited for arguments that ultimately lead to divorce. The article also states that 60 to 70 of people now choose to live together prior to marriage, a practice that in and of itself is relatively close to the rigors that officially being married to one another actually has to offer. By the time couples may decide it’s time to actually enter into marriage, those couples may go through with the marriage, but ultimately may be skeptical about whether or not the marriage will last, and are more susceptible to decide that, in the end, it won’t last.

Regardless of your marriage situation, a divorce can seem overwhelming at first. Whether you’re unemployed or underemployed, chose to live together for years prior to marriage or simply chose to wait until after the marriage, or have come to the conclusion that your marriage just won’t work, divorce proceedings can be complicated. If you are seeking a divorce from your spouse, it is in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced divorce attorney that will help sort through every detail of your divorce proceedings.

The skilled attorneys at Kaplan Law, LLC represent all types of divorce cases. Remember, divorce can completely change a person’s life, and as a consequence may be accompanied by tremendous amounts of stress. The divorce attorneys in Denver at Kaplan Law, LLC understand how stressful such situations can be, and work towards making divorce proceedings not only as equitable as possible, but also as stress-free for everyone involved. Please call Kaplan Law, LLC today at 1-877-527-5206 for more information about divorce and your options.

Source:http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=196562

Paul McCartney’s Former Wife Still Upset Over Divorce Settlement

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on May 13, 2009

The website starpulse.com reported in an article on April 20, 2009 that Heather Mills is still angry about the $33.6 million divorce settlement she was awarded from former Beatle Paul McCartney. McCartney filed for divorce from his wife Mills in March 2008. Mills used a speaking engagement in London for a vegetarian charity “Viva” to express her disappointment with the sum she was awarded saying it was not high enough.

Mills said, “I got five per cent of what we earned together in seven years. And we earned it together; I worked my butt off doing the tours and everything.”

Mills is known for being outspoken and charges up to $102,000 to speak at after-dinner events.

Mills said, “Everyone thinks I’m nuts because I speak the truth and I’m very outspoken. The meat industry hates me, the dairy industry hates me, the Beatle industry hates me, the landmine industry. So I have a lot of enemies out there. But I also have a lot of support.”

No matter what the dollar amount involved in your potential divorce, acquiring the skilled services of an experienced Denver divorce lawyer can help you achieve the best results possible for your case. If you are considering a divorce in the state of Colorado, no matter what the circumstances, consider the expertise and experience of the Kaplan Law divorce lawyers.

Kaplan Law is a distinguished Colorado family law firm representing all types of divorce and support cases in Colorado. They realize that a divorce can change a person’s life in many ways. The Denver’s skilled family law attorneys at the Kaplan Law can help with decisions of personal and or property matters, collection of funds, and child custody. It is their goal to make the process of getting divorced as quick and easy as possible so that you can get on with your life. Please call 1-877-527-5206 for a consultation.

Are Divorces Declining Due to the Economy?

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on May 6, 2009

An article on the website sacbee.com reported on April 28, 2009 that divorce filings across the country have slipped considerably during 2008 from the previous year. Hal Bartholomew, president-elect of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ Northern California chapter said, “I’m not surprised. Most divorce lawyers across the country are seeing a drop in new-client calls, people are postponing the decision to divorce.” Officials believe that couples are trying to get by, if not for the kids, but for the house. It is still unclear what the lasting effects of the current recession will be, but the divorce rates did plunge during the Depression.

On the other hand, some may actually be using the recession as an excuse to divorce. Michael Baggett, pastor at Bayside Church in Roseville said, “I just got off the phone with a guy who’d tell you that this recession has made his wife’s decision to divorce him easier. Her attitude is, I’m losing the house anyway, so I might as well lose you.”

In contrast, Jill Brooke, editor of firstwivesworld.com said, “I recently counseled somebody who was deliberating whether to wait out the housing market. And she said, ‘I’ve lived in a loveless marriage for 12 years. What’s one more year?’ People are pressing the pause button on their marriages but not necessarily the delete button.

A large amount of couples cannot afford to divorce during this economic climate. There is a $320.00 filing fee, along with lawyers’ fees that range well into five figures for lengthy and difficult cases. Counseling numbers have increased considerably in an attempt to get couples to reconcile.

If you are considering a divorce in the state of Colorado the skilled Denver divorce attorneys at Kaplan Law can assist you. We offer initial consultations at 50 percent off our normal hourly rates for up to one hour. This makes consulting with an experienced divorce attorney in Denver more affordable. Please call 1-877-527-5260 today.

Spousal Support Dispute: Hulk Hogan’s Wife Wants More Money After OJ Comments

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on April 29, 2009

According to a report, Linda Bollea, wife of former wrestler Hulk Hogan, has asked the court for thousands of dollars more in spousal support so that she can move across the country. Hogan recently gave an interview to Rolling Stone magazine where he said that he understood how O.J. Simpson could have been driven to do what he did. Simpson was acquitted of murdering his wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1993, and like many people Hogan also believes Simpson got away with murder.

In the interview Hogan whose real name is Terry Bollea said he was enticed to assault his wife “like O.J.” which caused outrage and brought about a swift response to clarify his comments.

A representative for Hogan said, “Hulk in no way condones the O.J. situation. As part of a larger conversation, he referred to it to exemplify his frustration with his own situation.”

Linda Bollea did not find any jest in the comments and has filed court papers in Pinellas County, Florida. Bollea is claiming she feels she’s in “imminent danger of becoming a victim.” She is asking for an additional $8,200 a month from Hogan so that she can move “thousands of miles away.” She also is requesting $24,000 for “advanced rent and security deposits” in order to move from Miami to California.

If you are considering a divorce in the State of Colorado, the Denver’s skilled divorce attorneys at Kaplan Law can assist you all aspects during this difficult time. Let Kaplan Law be your source for legal advice and representation. Their family law lawyers will work on your case with the experience and resources it takes to attain a favorable ruling. They realize that a divorce can change a person’s life in many ways. The Colorado family law attorneys at the Kaplan Law can help with decisions of personal and or property matters, collection of funds, and child custody. It is our goal to make the process of getting divorced as quick and easy as possible so that you can get on with your life. Please call 1-877-527-5260 for a consultation.

Actress Kate Walsh’s Divorce Intensifies

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on April 22, 2009

The website bostonherald.com reported in a story on April 27, 2009 that lawyers for Alex Young have asked for a trial date for his divorce from television actress Kate Walsh. Walsh filed for a divorce in December 2008 and stars on the popular television show “Private Practice.” According to court papers, Young and Walsh bought a multi-million dollar home and spent a substantial amount of money customizing it. Their dispute over division of property circulates around the fact that Young claims that the couple’s accountants have sided with Walsh and have not let him look at the books.

The skilled Denver divorce lawyers at Kaplan Law have more than 20 years of experience handling cases for clients facing the challenges of divorce, division of property, child support enforcement, child custody, and annulment. We practice only in Colorado and have a long-standing familiarity with local courts, district attorneys and judges that afford our clients the best possible result for their case.

Contact Kaplan Law today for representation for all types of family law cases. If you are involved in a situation where the service of an experienced divorce lawyer is needed, contact a Denver family law attorney at Kaplan Law. Please call 1-877-527-5260 for a consultation.