Time to End "Scorched Earth" Divorce

Pretty amusing, no?

This isn't a real video - it's a viral video used to promote Triumph Boats.

However, this sort of behavior, while not common, is still not unheard of either.

Just today we read that a man was arrested for burning his house down, rather than sell it as part of a divorce settlement.

Net result, he's probably going to go to jail, and the wife no longer has the $160,000.00 she was supposed to get from the sale of the home.

This isn't how divorce needs to be.

The idea of a "scorched earth" policy, where you hurt yourself to inflict pain upon your former spouse or partner is pointless and stupid.

It won't make you feel better.

It will, one way or another, cost you - both financially and emotionally.

More and more in my practice I see people coming to me who understand this intrinsically.  They don't want drama and conflict - they've often had enough of that for a life time, and want peace and resolution.

They understand that life is short, and moving forward in an effective way, to get beyond the pain of a broken relationship is their goal.

As lawyers, it is incumbent upon us to understand this.

To see the sometimes ill-considered desire of our client for revenge or vindication, and to channel their efforts towards minimizing their emotional and financial loss and to allow them to move forward with their life in a healthier manner.

So.

To people suffering a relationship breakdown, I suggest:

Put the boat away.

Put down the gasoline can.

And call a lawyer or mental health professional, and work towards a healthier resolution in your relationship breakdown.