With the divorce rate in the United States generally hovering around 50 percent, divorce is all-too-common in America. The end of a marriage can be a difficult and contentious time in the lives of both spouses, not to mention the children involved. To attempt to make dissolution of a marriage go as smoothly as possible, states have imposed laws governing the many issues that arise when a marriage ends. These laws govern all aspects of divorce, from what the appropriate grounds are (most states now recognize no-fault divorces) to how child custody is determined (by looking at the best interests of the child) to how property is divided (either using community property rules or equitable distribution). This section contains information that will help you understand different types of divorce laws and guide you through the process of ending your marriage.
