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Is it wrong for me to sign divorce papers if I’m in favor of saving the marriage?

Question:

I am in the midst of a divorce I believe could be avoided with counseling, but my wife is moving toward the divorce with no second thoughts. Is it wrong for me to sign divorce papers? If I don’t, she can still divorce me, but we would have to go through a trial, and that would ruin me financially.

Answer:

Civil divorce has no effect on the indissolubility of a valid marriage. The Church permits civil divorce only for the equitable division of property that has been held in common. If not signing the divorce papers will not prevent the divorce, then refusing to do so might be only a waste of time and money. You are not obliged to incur financial ruin in order to avoid signing divorce papers.

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