One day I was sitting in court waiting for my case to be called and the case heard before mine went something like this. Facts have been changed but the gist of the story remains.
Judge: I'm calling the case of Smith v. Smith.
Petitioner: Good Morning, Your Honor.
Respondent nods his head up and down to confirm it is indeed a good morning.
Judge: We're here today on Petitioner's OSC for support. Have the parties exchanged their Income and Expense Declarations.
Petitioner: No, Your Honor.
Judge: Well, you need to do that in order for child and spousal support to be calculated.
Petitioner: We're not getting divorced, Your Honor. We've decided to reconcile and stay together.
Judge looks at Respondent.
Judge: Is this true, sir?
Respondent nods his head in affirmation.
Judge; I need a verbal response sir, so the court reporter can record what you're saying.
Respondent: Yes, we're getting back together.
The courtroom erupts in thunderous applause. The judge starts pounding the gavel.
Judge: Quiet in the courtroom...
And for a moment you think you're watching a scene from Divorce Court.
Does this really happen? Yes! Not everyday but it does happen. Sometimes, couples reconcile and stop their divorce. The legal way to do this would be to have the divorce petition dismissed. Also, any response requesting divorce would need to be dismissed too.
Last Saturday I had the pleasure to attend an inspiring Marriage Enrichment Workshop with my husband which was sponsored by Turning Point Christian Church, www.TurningPointLA.com. The workshop was taught by the dynamic Joe Beam of Family Dynamics Institute, www.FamilyDynamics.net. Joe has done great work in the field of 1) Marriage Enrichment and 2) Saving Marriages in Crisis. Going to marriage enrichment classes are great because they teach couples about the art of communication and growing together. I say people go to college, graduate school, medical school, law school for "upteen" years and continue on with continuing education credits but do not devote the same passion to building a healthy marrige. After "I Do" we do not magically become relationship experts. Having a healthy marriage is a verb...
Many people going through divorce have no desire to turn back. The picture has faded to black and they are ready to move on. From personal experience, I can share that is how I felt in my first marriage which ended in divorce. For those, however, who want to reconcile and are willing to do the work it takes --- there is hope because it has been done!
Many Blessings,
Pam
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