As anticipation starts to build for the upcoming Justice League movie, which may be more of a Super Friends movie according to some, many people wonder what happened to the cartoon versions of everyone’s favorite super heroes. Was it no-fault divorce that closed the Hall of Justice, a feat that always eluded Lex Luthor and his ilk?
Most people agree that three things ended Saturday morning cartoons. First, the federal government introduced new and more restrictive rules for children’s programs, making it harder to sell advertising time on these shows and therefore making them less profitable. For example, the Federal Communications Commission made it illegal to sell Superman toys during commercials in the Superman show. Second, the rise of all-cartoon cable television networks removed the luster from Saturday morning cartoons, since these programs became available every day of the week.
Finally, because of the rising divorce rate, suddenly single parents were less willing to let their kids watch four or five hours of television on Saturdays, as they preferred more mutually engaging activities.
No-Fault Divorce in Arizona
Mainly to speed these cases through the courts, and also to shift the focus during these proceedings onto the children and away from the parents, Arizona is a pure no-fault state. In most cases, one spouse’s testimony that the marriage is irretrievably broken is sufficient grounds for divorce. Possible reconciliation may be a defense, but in most cases, if one spouse has abandoned the marriage, it is impossible to revive it.
Covenant marriage is the one major exception, and Arizona is one of only a handful of states that legally recognize these unions. If the bride and groom enter into a covenant marriage, which essentially means that they undergo additional premarital counseling and publically agree to a covenant marriage, they basically give up their rights to a solo no-fault divorce. Marriage dissolution is still possible on these grounds, but only if both spouses agree. Most commonly, covenant marriages must be dissolved on one of the common law fault grounds, such as adultery, cruelty, or substance abuse.
Even people who were married outside Arizona are eligible for an Arizona divorce, provided that at least one party resided in the state for the 90 days prior to filing the petition. Moreover, there is a 60-day waiting period after the divorce is filed before the action can become final.
Go With an Experienced Attorney
If your marriage is ending, it’s important to understand all your legal options. For a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney in Tempe, contact the Law Office of Ronald L. Kossack. We routinely handle cases in Maricopa County and nearby jurisdictions.