>>>>What's going on in your part of the world?<<<< The headline in Saturday's paper was: "Scheiding in ijskast door crisis" which translates to "Divorce in the refrigerator because of crisis". The article went on to say that divorce is down 12% from the same period last year. The reason is the economy. There are two different types of divorce here in NL. One is total dissolution of the marriage and includes a property settlement. The other is "separation from table and bed" which means two people no longer live in a matrimonial state, do not enter into (financial) contracts together, but they might still live at the same address and no property settlement is required for some years. Additionally, it is now required to have a mediator before a couple steps in front of a divorce judge. All the details are worked out ahead of time, and co-parenting is required. It isn't as easy to get married here as in USA. There's something called "ondertrouw" and a couple must go to the town hall to register. Ondertrouw might be as little as two weeks before the marriage, or could be longer. Each city/village have their own requirements of time. The couple will need birth certificates, immigration certificates (if one of the partners is not Dutch), proof of good citizenship (a police report), and there are additional legal actions necessary if there are minor children of either party. It's no big deal to live together and have children here in Holland. The number one reason couples get married in Holland...to buy a house! I have a colleague who has been with his partner for 15 years and they have 3 kids. They got married this summer because...yep...they're buying a house! kathleen | 
