Denmark has become one of the world's most wired countries. For example, using a government-issued digital ID, Danes can easily access electronic personal data, such as tax returns and hospital records. The country has also eliminated much of the bureaucracy surrounding divorce, allowing people to simply file a short form, pay a $60 USD fee, and be single again within a week. So perhaps it's not entirely surprising that Denmark has one of the highest divorce rates in Europe. Beginning next year, however, breaking up will become harder to do. In most cases, married couples with children will be required to wait three months -- a "reflection period" during which the couple will be offered free counseling -- before the divorce becomes final.
When "I do" becomes "I don't":
- Officials want to provide some protection for the children involved in divorces, including mandating that kids also have access to counseling during the waiting period.
- The speedy divorce option will still be available for couples without children, and in cases where there is evidence of spousal abuse.
- Not everyone thinks this is a good idea. “Making the road more tortuous and difficult doesn’t achieve anything positive,” said a spokeswoman for the Liberal Alliance political party.