Divorce Too Quick, Easy

Wed., Dec. 11, 1996

Theresa Anne Orr Special To Opinion

I believed my marriage would last forever. Divorce was something that happened to other people but would never happen to me.

But shortly after our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband informed me he was leaving. Life as I knew it was over.

Looking for an attorney was painful. One rejected me because my case wasn’t high-profile enough. Others wanted money in advance that I did not have. Finally, I met an attorney who honored my desire to reconcile with my husband.

In spite of my reconciliation efforts, the divorce became final. The 90-day waiting period went so fast. If there had been a longer waiting period, along with mandatory marriage counseling, the outcome might have been different.

My husband left after my first semester in nursing school. I had three semesters until graduation and no money. Fortunately financial aid allowed me to graduate a year later.

After graduation I worked the night shift as a registered nurse in a local medical center. Life as a single parent working nights was difficult. Sometimes I went over 38 hours without sleep so I could spend time with my son.

As much as I loved my work I desired a day job. After receiving a letter about graduate studies in nursing, I found myself back in school. I continued to work nights as a nurse while attending graduate school full-time during the day. Life was a continual struggle and money extremely tight.

I have been a single parent for almost six years. My son is now 10. Sadly, my situation is not unique. Many parents, fathers as well as mothers, wish to finish college but are unable because divorce has left them nearly bankrupt.

Legislators need to change divorce laws. Except in cases of abuse, the waiting period should be lengthened. Mandatory marriage counseling before granting divorces would give struggling marriages more of a chance.

I finished my master’s degree in nursing during the summer. I am practicing as an advanced registered nurse practitioner. My conviction was to educate myself to the best of my ability with the hope of making the world a better place for our children. With God’s help, I now plan to change the world one person at a time.

MEMO: “Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.

“Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.

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