February 16, 2012
/24-7PressRelease/ -- New Jersey's Divorce Rate May Be Due to Alimony Laws
New Jersey may not be the first place people think of when they hear the word "till death do us part," but it seems that the Garden State holds the secrets to lasting marriages. A new study shows that New Jersey has the lowest divorce rate in the U.S. However, some suggest that the state's alimonylaws may be a reason that New Jersey couples do not divorce.
Lowest Divorce Rate in the U.S.
The 2009 U.S. Census survey revealed that the divorce rate in the Northeastern U.S. was the lowest in the country, with 7.2 divorces per 1,000 men and 7.5 divorces per 1,000 women. New Jersey had the lowest divorce rate of any state, with 6.1 divorces for every 1,000 men in the state and six divorces for every 1,000 women. In contrast, the divorce rate in the southern states in the U.S was 10.2 divorces per 1,000 men and 11.1 divorces per 1,000 women.
New Jersey also had a much lower marriage rate than southern states. New Jersey's marriage rate was the second-lowest, with 14.8 marriages per 1,000 men and 13.1 marriages per 1,000 women. People in New Jersey also tend to get married later in life than in southern states.
New Jersey Alimony Laws
Critics have suggested that the low divorce rate in New Jersey is not necessarily something to celebrate. They suggest that New Jersey residents who are in unhappy marriages simply stay together because they cannot afford to divorce. The state's alimony laws make it too costly.
The court can award four types of alimony in New Jersey:
-Limited duration alimony: The court grants limited duration alimony when a spouse needs temporary assistance until he or she becomes economically self-sufficient
-Permanent alimony: Permanent alimony is a lifetime award.
-Reimbursement alimony: When one spouse supports the other through advanced schooling or job training, the supporting spouse may receive reimbursement alimony.
-Rehabilitative alimony: The payee spouse must present a plan showing the steps he or she will take to rehabilitate, the time frame for rehabilitations and the employment he or she will have while doing so to receive rehabilitative alimony.
Critics allege alimony awards are too unpredictable in New Jersey. They also contend that courts are too quick to award permanent alimony and will not modify awards even if the amount of the payment cripples the paying spouse economically at a later point as a result of changes in circumstances. In many cases, it may make more financial sense for people to stay in unhappy marriages.
Article provided by A. Schancupp & Associates, LLC
Visit us at http://www.schanlaw.com
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