Belgium divorce rate doubles in nine months

From enquiries at the courts of Hasselt, Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels it seems that the number of divorces has doubled within nine months. The four courts blame this strong increase on the new divorce law that makes it easier for couples to divorce than before.

Anyone who had wanted a divorce before September 2007 had to prove that the partner had done wrong. This led to a long procedure in which adultery or violence had to be proved. But today it suffices to indicate that couples have been living at different addresses for at least one year. When both lay a divorce charge it is sufficient to show different domiciles for six months in order to have the marital contract annulled.

Gee ....and I thought adultry was a rider written into most Belgian marriage contracts.