HUGO.legal lawyer Angela Jürgenson is a family law specialist. She is usually approached with questions about child custody and alimony, but sometimes there is also a need to go to court in cases of divorce. According to Jürgenson, getting married is simple – one just needs to submit an application, pay the state fee, and answer “yes” to the civil registrar’s question about marriage. She recalls a humorous situation where a woman wanted a divorce because her husband was like a “hippopotamus” who just sat on the couch and ate, leaving all the housework to his wife. This made them both laugh, but in the end, the woman did get a divorce through the court.
Many women come to the lawyer to ask how to divorce, how to divide property, and how to continue raising children. Before coming to the lawyer, some have tried couples therapy or consulted a psychologist. Jürgenson notes that often the first consultation is just for gathering information, but sometimes clients later return with a firm decision to divorce, especially when a peaceful separation is not possible.
The reasons for divorce can vary greatly, ranging from excessive alcohol consumption and violence to financial irresponsibility or simply the feeling that living alone is easier. Jürgenson also emphasizes the importance of prenuptial agreements when entering marriage, as many people do not pay enough attention to this, focusing more on the details of the wedding ceremony.
According to statistics, about half of marriages in Estonia end in divorce, and although divorces are often justified by the end of love, the family law does not specifically mention love as a reason for divorce.
