In The Netherlands a weekend break can become a weekend break-up for couples hoping for a swift and cheap divorce.

It is a concept called the “Divorce Hotel” and helps husbands and wives to arrange all the necessary legal documentation to end their marriage over the course of just two days.

They meet a mediator and series of lawyers behind closed doors who will split assets, agree alimony payments and arrange visitation rights – all for a fixed fee.

It is the brainchild of entrepreneur Jim Halfens, who said he spotted a gap in the market in a country where the average divorce can easily run into five figures and take months to complete.

“When they leave the hotel, all work is done,” Halfens told Sky News. “The only thing that happens then in Dutch law is that they have to show the agreement to a judge in the Netherlands and that takes a couple of weeks.

“They walk divorced out of this door and to make it official takes a couple of weeks.”

He uses a number of high-end boutique hotels around the country, including the smart Carlton Ambassador Hotel in The Hague.

Sales manager Ninke Bons explains that the couples, who often check in together, but mostly choose to stay in separate rooms, are handled with care by the staff.

“We treat them as any other guests, we just try to keep a closer eye on them or make sure they are not wandering around by themselves,” she says.

“Just as an example – we would normally inquire if a guest enjoyed their stay at the hotel. Well, obviously that’s not very appropriate in the case of the ‘Divorce Hotel.’”

Couples have to apply to use the process and are rigorously screened by the divorce hotel legal team. If the husband and wives are squabbling, or barely on speaking terms, they are deemed unsuitable for the process.

The concept is thought to be perfect for TV and the multi-Emmy Award winning Base Productions is pitching a series to television networks in the US, and several are said to be interested.

Producer Mickey Stern says rather than a reality TV show – a genre born in the Netherlands – they are proposing a high-gloss documentary series examining couples as they go through the process and how conflicts are resolved as the spoils are divided.

Emily DiSanto was originally told that on the grounds of public morality which ban polygamous relationships, she would not be granted a Visa to stay in the UK.

But appealing on the grounds of her right to family life, she has won her case under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Miss DiSanto shares the home of Alan and Anne-Marie Caulfield in Eltham, South East London – and both women have a child by Mr Caulfield.

In what is an extraordinary outcome, Miss DiSanto’s lawyer highlighted that by his client being deported, it would not only affect the well-being of her own son, but also Mrs Caulfield’s son.

The case will no doubt increase pressure on the government to reform human rights laws, as yet again they have been used to overturn civil servants’ decisions.

All three worship Norse gods, including Odin and Thor, and claim that their beliefs rule out a divorce between Mr and Mrs Caulfield, who according to DiSanto’s lawyer, no longer have a sexual relationship.

The Home Office dropped its objection on the grounds of bigamy, and Miss DiSanto made two appeals.

It is thought her success was largely down to the fact that civil servants could not prove that Miss DiSanto was involved in polygamy.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Ian Macdonald, QC, president of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association said: “There is no law against threesomes. For many people such a thing may be morally objectionable but it is not unlawful.

“I think the original decision to cite polygamy as a reason to refuse permission was probably that of a junior official which, further up the chain, was recognised to be unsustainable. It would have been kicked out by any court.

After losing a first appeal, which the Government took into account that Miss DiSanto, from Chicago, arrived in Britain in 2008 already pregnant with Caulfield’s baby, casting doubt on any intentions to leave in time, DiSanto made a second appeal.

Here her lawyers highlighted that family life would be hugely disrupted by Miss DiSanto being deported, and Upper Tribunal Judges Bernard Dawson and Catriona Jarvis found favour in her argument.

A Home Office Spokesman told the Sunday Telegraph: “We are disappointed by the court’s decision in this case.

“For too long Article 8 has been used to place the family rights of immigration offenders above the rights of the British public.

“This is why we will change the immigration rules to reinforce the public interest in seeing those who have breached our immigration laws removed from this country.”

The Caulfields and Miss DiSanto have declined to comment on the court’s decision.

The breakup of a marriage and divorce proceedings are an emotional time for everyone involved. Understandably, at such an emotional time the last thing you want is to be inundated with legal wrangling and theory. Subsequently divorce solicitors are frequently used to carry out the proceedings, but how do you choose a legal service?

Personal recommendations are one of the best ways to find divorce solicitors. It is always a good idea to speak to friends and family about solicitors they may have used in the past, especially if they have been used successfully in divorce proceedings.

It is also good advice to understand what you need from your solicitor, for example, if you are more comfortable with female representation or would like an older solicitor then it is wise to have a checklist of these opinions. Equally you may only want a solicitor that charges a flat fee rather than by the hour or choose someone that is close by for added convenience.

Many solicitors will offer short initial consultations for free so it can be wise to meet a few to see which is the most likely candidate. Ultimately you want to find a professional that has a good approach to the work; also you typically want an understanding solicitor that will be able to give your honest advice on the matters in hand. At this stage there is little point in keeping anything from your lawyers, ultimately it is only by giving them the entire facts that you will get an honest opinion of your chances during the case.

Fundamentally you need to find a solicitor that specialises in family law cases, this is vital as without knowledge of the wider legal issues they are a less useful resource to you. In addition you also want a legal representative that is above all, contactable. There will be frequent times where you will have to make contact with your lawyer and it is only by having an easy way to contact them that the process will be as easy as possible.

Ultimately when choosing divorce solicitors it is advisable find a professional that combines an understanding and sympathetic attitude with legal adeptness and extensive knowledge of family law. It is by getting this balance that you have the best chances of keeping stress down to a minimum throughout the entire process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5309951

1. Someone may seek legal advice if they are being treated badly by their spouse, especially if they have put a lot of effort into treating them well.

2. If a couple finds itself arguing all the time or if minor discussions escalate easily into full blown arguments on a regular basis, a divorce may be forthcoming.

3. A relationship that works should make both partners feel at their most confident, but if the opposite effect is taking place, it could be a sign things aren’t well.

4. Once an argument has been put to bed, a healthy relationship should see them stay there. If old problems keep resurfacing, it could lead to resentment and that has a habit of ending in the courts.

5. All relationships require some form of compromise from both parties, but if one or neither of you is showing a willingness to make sacrifices, it could damage the relationship.

6. One common reason for contacting a divorce solicitor is when a marriage is ending because of a change in values between the two parties. Whether it’s about how to raise children to the type of lifestyle people want, it may lead to a dead end in the relationship.

7. Likewise, a divorce solicitor may be brought in where couples change what they want from life and a compromise is not foreseeable, such as regarding where they want to live or whether they want to have children.

8. Infidelity is a major cause of divorce, particularly where an ongoing affair or one partner has repeatedly been unfaithful, as it can destroy the trust that is central to a successful marriage.

9. If one partner has specific expectations of what a spouse should be, it may be difficult for the other partner to meet the standards they’ve set. This may be an eye opener for the person with high standards or it could be frustrating for the person trying to live up to the unrealistic expectations.

10. If one or both of the people in the relationship finds that they prefer to spend time with friends rather than their other half – not just occasionally, but all the time – then it may be a sign of problems ahead.

If there is no way to overcome the problems, a divorce solicitor may be required to proceed to the next step.

Many law firms will be able to provide people with a family, education or employment solicitor, as well as the divorce specialist.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Berry-Smith

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1. Getting divorced is a very stressful time for all concerned, and so you’ll want to choose a divorce solicitor who is sympathetic and so able to understand what you’re going through, and proactive enough to keep you informed of the situation, without you having to make all the phone calls.

2. If you’re ending a civil partnership, then you’ll want to make sure that your solicitor is experienced and can advise you. This can be an extremely difficult time, especially when children are involved.

3. It can be hard to choose a divorce solicitor, as you may have only dealt with solicitors when buying or selling your home. You might want to choose the nearest solicitor, or one that specialises in divorce and family law, or one with the best reputation.

4. You might be anxious about having to sell your home after your marriage has broken down. You might want to know if there are alternatives.

5. Perhaps you’ll need to buy a new home big enough for you and your children. Or, perhaps you’ll need to buy a home with enough room for your children when they come to stay with you.

6. You might have other assets that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to your divorce. Perhaps you have stocks and shares, or an inheritance, or a significant pay rise or bonus that you want to protect.

7. Although not really legally binding in the UK, a pre nuptial agreement will show the court what your wishes were before you got married. You might have already signed one, or want to create one. Whilst nobody wants their marriage to fail, you might want to ensure that you at least leave the marriage with what you entered it with.

8. Children are going to be the most important issue for parents who get divorced. Perhaps your children will want to live with one parent, and see the other parent on a regular basis, or perhaps the children will be able to come and go as they please. It might be that you can’t agree what will be best for your children, and will need the court to intervene.

9. Perhaps you are grandparents or other close relatives, and want to make sure that you’ll still be able to see your loved ones.

10. You shouldn’t choose your divorce solicitor or family solicitor based solely on cost. Your decisions will affect a lot of people for a long time, and you don’t want to adversely affect your children’s future because you chose the wrong divorce solicitor. You’ll want to make sure that the solicitor you choose is experienced and has dealt with cases like yours before, and is confident that they can achieve the outcome you want.

Now you know more about how to choose your legal representation, and what you’ll need to know, perhaps now is the time to instruct your divorce solicitors or family solicitors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_James

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A good divorce solicitor can be a real help to some going through the experience of a divorce. The following are some reasons why a good divorce solicitor is one of the best friends or contacts to have in a divorce situation.

Understands Grounds for Divorce

First of all, good divorce solicitors understand grounds for divorce very clearly and in full detail. This can help you get a sense right from the outset if divorce is the best legal action to take and what the chances of the legal proceeding coming out in your favour are. In order to move forward with a divorce with confidence, your actions need to be grounded in a good the sense of the grounds for divorce. If you try to tackle a divorce on your own, you may have only a hazy sense of what the grounds for divorce are or how to present them effectively in court. A divorce solicitor can clarify all this for you as well as present your divorce grounds so that they are clear and convincing in a court setting.

Knows How to Handle Judges

Divorce solicitors know all the intricacies of dealing with the judges that preside over divorce cases. This is something that is only gained with experience. If you have never gotten a divorce before, or even if you have, you will not have anywhere near as much experience dealing with judges as a divorce solicitor will. Judges are not always the impartial and infinitely just parties that one would hope. They can have their own motivations or make judgment errors. It is thus very helpful to have a divorce solicitor on your side when dealing with them.

Can Supply you with General Legal Information

Information about your grounds for divorce is not the only information you need when getting a divorce. A divorce solicitor can supply you with general legal information and advice that will give you a balanced picture of the proceedings. He can go over all the elements of a divorce in its contractual and civil aspects, giving you a helpful overview of what you should expect. In general the better informed you are about that the way divorces work in a legal sense, the better your chances of getting what you expect from the divorce.

Maximizes Allocation of Assets

If there are significant monetary and property assets to be divided up, the presence of a knowledgeable divorce solicitor can really make a large difference as to what the final settlement is. Chances are you wish for a fair settlement with both parties getting about an equal amount of the assets. Or you may feel for various reasons that you deserve more of the assets. Either way the divorce attorney can work in your favour here and see that the best financial and property allocation is reached.

Can Advise you Regarding Common Errors

A solicitor can advise you in such a way as to help you prevent some common errors that often occur when people go through divorces. Left to your own devices, you might make such errors, but with the help of the divorce attorney they can be avoided and the proceedings can go well from the start. It is thus wise to take advantage of divorce solicitors. They can be some of your best friends in the difficult times that divorces often are for people. Use them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6545450

The singer was detained by cops last month (Nov11) at his house in Tennessee after police officerswere called to investigate claims a disagreement between the couple had turned violent.

Atkins was booked on suspicion of domestic assault and later released on $2,500 (£1,563) bail.

The star’s lawyers have now released a statement to Tmz.com about the arrest, calling the alleged argument with his wife Tammy an “unfortunate verbal dispute” and confirming Atkins has since filed for divorce.

It reads, “Mr. Atkins realised he would have no recourse but to file a complaint for divorce. He has exercised substantial parenting time with the parties’ son and he will continue to do so while the divorce is pending. Mr. Atkins wants to thank his fans for standing by him as he is confident the truth will prevail.”

The 49-year-old actress, who filed for divorce from her husband Ashton Kutcher last month, hit back at those who have hounded her over her Twitter name.
She wrote: “Changing my Twitter name isn’t a top priority right now. Sorry it bothers so many of u. Should I not tweet until I do? Does it really matter?”
Demi and Ashton’s high-profile relationship broke down last month after claims emerged that the actor had cheated on his wife of six years.

Click here for a look back at their eight years together in pictures.

Ashton allegedly had a fling with 22-year-old Sara Leal on the weekend of his wedding anniversary. Sara Leal has since said that the rumours have ruined her life and destroyed her career.
She said: “It was insane. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It might have seemed like I was asking for it, but I wasn’t.”
“My dad wouldn’t even talk to me, and I got a lot of disturbing phone calls, even from my friends’ parents”
“I got fired from my job. I am no longer friends with my best friend who was my roommate because it caused so many problems and I had to move out.”
“I wasn’t working for two months, and I only just started working three weeks ago. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

In a statement released on November 17, Demi Moore filed for divorce from Ashton saying: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage.”
“As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.”

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of divorces in England and Wales in 2010 was 119,589, a 4.9% increase since 2009, when there were 113,949 divorces.

It is the first year the number of divorces has increased since 2003.

The figures equate to a rate of 11.1 people divorcing per 1,000 of the married population in 2010, up from a rate of 10.5 in 2009, the ONS said.

Fiona Wood, a partner with the law firm Pannone, said: “I suspect that the number of divorces climbed in 2010 due to the effects of the recession, which really began in earnest in 2008, starting to impact on personal circumstances.

“Finances are one of many reasons for divorce, and a downturn can take time to translate from bad news for business to job losses, money worries and problems at home. Such tensions do not instantly result in divorce, possibly because some couples try to work through their difficulties before going their separate ways.

“It is also worth considering whether recession is the cause of divorce or if it merely exacerbates existing issues. I think that the latter is more likely to be true.”

Compared with 2009, divorce rates rose across all age groups for women, while for men the rates increased in all age groups above 25 years.

Women in their late 20s had the highest divorce rates of all the female age groups, with 25.9 females divorcing per 1,000 married women aged 25 to 29.

In comparison, men in their early 30s had the highest rates, with 22.5 men divorcing per 1,000 aged 30 to 34.

Meanwhile, the ONS figures revealed the average age at divorce increased slightly for men and women in 2010 – it was 44.2 for men in 2010 compared with 44 in 2009, and 41.7 for women compared with 41.5 in 2009.

Almost a fifth of men and women who divorced in 2010 had their previous marriage end in divorce.

Ms Wood said: “What is also interesting about these latest figures is that it appears that romance is not dead. Almost a fifth of men and women who were divorced in 2010 had been divorced before, which shows that they were prepared to try marriage again after divorce, which can be a very unpleasant process.”

As of Monday, he owes 10 percent interest on the payments he missed, according to a ruling by the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Redleaf, 54, who is CEO of the Minneapolis-based hedge fund Whitebox Advisors, had agreed to pay his ex-wife Elizabeth Redleaf $140.7 million in cash payments over a five-year period when they divorced in February 2008.

In return, Elizabeth, also 54, agreed to waive any interest in her ex-husband’s businesses. The best known, Whitebox Advisors, manages $2.5 billion in assets, according to its website, and once owned a 50 percent stake in Sun Country Airlines.

The initial settlement called for two lump-sum payments of $20.8 million before the divorce was granted and one lump-sum payment of $30 million in 2013, according to court filings. The rest was to be paid in monthly installments of $1.5 million.

At first, all went according to plan. Andrew Redleaf made the two upfront payments and kept up with monthly payments of $1.5 million through January 2009.

Then, according to court documents, he missed more than a year’s worth of payments, according to court documents, saying his income had declined.

Elizabeth Redleaf won judgments worth $21 million, which Andrew paid. He then tried to renegotiate the settlement, arguing his financial circumstances had changed, but the courts said no. He missed three more monthly payments and protested he could not pay them in full. He also requested a simple rate of 4 percent interest on what he owed in light of low market interest rates.

But the district court awarded 10 percent interest on the judgments as mandated by a Minnesota statute on judgments over $50,000.

Andrew Redleaf’s attorney said Monday that rate was put in place by the Legislature to motivate insurance companies to pay out judgments in a timely fashion.

Andrew Redleaf took the case to the state Court of Appeals, challenging the 10 percent interest rate, arguing it was beyond the market rate.

But the appeals court disagreed. Judge Thomas Kalitowski’s decision Monday didn’t touch on whether Andrew Redleaf has the ability to pay. The decision also noted the initial divorce settlement “was silent as to the rate of interest to be applied” if he failed to make the payments.

“The court here only had to determine that (Andrew Redleaf) was liable to (Elizabeth) for a sum of money that he had not paid,” Monday’s decision says.

State lawmakers were looking at personal injury cases – and insurance companies that were withholding payment on judgments – when they set the 10 percent interest rate, said Alan Eidsness, Andrew Redleaf’s attorney.

“In family court, there should be discretion to the trial judge to decide the interest rate,” Eidsness said.

An attorney for Elizabeth Redleaf did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

John Welbes can be reached at 651-228-2175. Follow him at Twitter.com/jwelbes.