MINNEAPOLIS -- So you say you want a divorce. Sure about that? University of Minnesota researchers have found a surprising amount of "reconciliation interest" in couples trying to part ways.
"We tend to assume once people file for divorce it's a done deal," U of M Family Social Science Professor Bill Doherty said.
Conducting 2 years of research in Hennepin County, Doherty found 1 in 4 people late in divorce proceedings believed their marriage could be saved with hard work. And of the 2,500 people surveyed 3 in 10 expressed openness to receiving help.
"This has probably been there a long time but nobody ever asked the question," Doherty explained.
Felicia Glass-Wilcox says she's noticed more "reconciliation weddings" at the Chapel of Love in the Mall of America. "Actually we've seen several in the last 6 months. It seems like it is picking up because I haven't seen that in years," she said.
Glass-Wilcox also noticed that those couples that have considered or been through the "Big D" seem stronger when they walk down her aisle. "They know they can count on each other. It's a stronger relationship at that point in time and you can just see that they're happy to realize that they've got each other," she explained.
Doherty's study could be ground-breaking. A group of Twin Cities' lawyers has already been better trained to ask couples about the possibility of reconciliation. Lawyers have also found that 50% of people early in the divorce process reported they were uncertain about actually going through with it.
"The divorce process takes on a life of its own and it can get away from people," Doherty concluded.
The study also found that 55% of people considering divorce said they were "growing apart." 40% said they were upset with how their spouse handles money and 18% cited "in-law problems." Those involved in the study could cite more than one reason for wanting a divorce.
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