Many people considering hiring divorce attorneys in Jackson County wonder if they have a valid reason to divorce. Adultery, felony convictions, desertion, cruel treatment, and bigamy are common grounds for divorce in many jurisdictions. Learn about these and other grounds for and aspects of divorce.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is an age-old problem. Unfortunately, spousal abuse was largely ignored until recently, when lawmakers finally passed laws to protect those who are most vulnerable. There’s no reason to resort to physical violence, and no one should endure that type of humiliation. However, many abused spouses stay due to financial dependence, depression, children, or a lack of external support. Many times, it can be embarrassing to admit that a marriage has been a failure.
Cruelty and Adultery
In the past, adultery and cruelty grounds enabled a person to file for divorce while remaining in the marital home. Now, all a spouse must do is to move into another bedroom. All this means is that a person need not leave the marital home if the other spouse has constructively abandoned the marriage. However, it’s important to talk to a divorce lawyer to see how the law applies to a particular case.
Military Pensions
Many divorce attorneys in Jackson County receive questions as to whether a spouse of less than a decade can share in a military pension. The answer to that question is yes, but it depends on case law; the ten-year requirement applies only to pay given directly to the ex-spouse.
Grandparents’ Rights
Appellate court decisions have recently made it harder for grandparents to secure visitation rights. Equity courts may accept petitions for reasonable visitation, and rights may be granted if it is in the child’s best interest. The strength of the child’s relationship with the grandparents and the impact of potential visits both play a role in court rulings.
Engagement Rings
As a rule, engagement rings are conditional gifts given from one party to another in anticipation of an upcoming marriage. If the receiver breaks the engagement, the ring should be returned to the giver. However, once the marriage occurs, the ring is the recipient’s and not included in the marital property. It’s not a good decision to give engagement rings on holidays or special occasions, because it might be considered a non-conditional gift. Visit Kelly, Symonds & Reed, LLC for more information.
