Divorce (Star) Wars: The Force Awakens

We live in exciting times. Not only is it the festive holiday season, but TODAY (and for the lucky and more hearty ones, last night) the new Star Wars movie , “The Force Awakens,” hits the big screen. Unbelievably (or, maybe more “believably”) it’s been 10 years since we’ve had a fresh dose of the likes of Luke Skywalker, R2D2, C3PO, Princess Leia, Hans Solo (he was much better as Indiana Jones-just saying) and, of course, the evilest of villains …Darth Vader. Now, I have to confess, I saw the first Star Wars movie when I was a teenager, 39 years ago. I reluctantly attended with my then boyfriend, who was not only enthralled with Star Wars, but was a Trekkie, Hobbit loving, Lord of the Rings kind of guy. That might explain why the relationship didn’t last, but I digress. I think I was also kidnapped into seeing the second Star Wars movie, but after that I lost track, and then lost the boyfriend. Perhaps my lack of enthusiasm for Star Wars comes from the fact that in family law it seems that I am involved in a daily intergalactic battle. The galaxy of family law is wrought with families in chaos who fail to understand that battles between husbands and wives should not be fought with words and a race to see whose lawyer can file the most motions. The wounds inflicted by these words and actions, although not visible, often leave permanent bruises that affect not only the parties, but their children long afterwards. Hey, sort of reminds mes of the light sabers used in Star Wars that can cut, burn and melt through just about anything. If you think I am wrong, just ask some people who have gone through this type of painful divorce (or who have been in a Star Wars movie). Interestingly, I actually read that George Lucas went through a devastating divorce many years ago that left him “penniless.” Now, I’ve not confirmed this information, but it might explain why he keeps bringing Darth Vader back, and why, if you are going through a divorce, you should take that mask off. The term that comes to mind most to me from Star Wars is “The Dark Side.” How about Darth Vader- apparently he went to the Dark Side and only came through when his son (who he’d been battling for a bunch of movies) was on the precipice of destruction. Is that the time a parent wants to “come through” and rescue a child? I hope it is a little earlier, or, more importantly, that the parents’ actions do not bring the child to the brink of destruction. Divorce should not be a battle between good and evil. When parties realize that the relationship is over, it is a time to acknowledge the end, and work with lawyers who do not align themselves with Darth Vader and the Dark Side, (and suck all the money out of the parties in the interim) but look to come up with a resolution. The resolutions are rarely perfect, but resolution allows the parties to move on. Unlike Star Wars, there should not be sequels to a divorce that go on for 39 years. This is what divorce lawyers call an annuity. So my friends, enjoy seeing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” this holiday season, but stay away from the Dark Side, and during this holiday season and throughout the new year, may the “Force” be with you! Cindy S. Vova Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A. 8551 West Sunrise Blvd., Suite 301 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33322 info@vovalaw.com 954.316.3496