Do I Check Single or Divorced?
Here’s a question that I have always wondered about. Which box do you check, single or divorced? These forms should have a box like Facebook that says, “It’s complicated.”
Somebody proposed a one year rule to Judith Martin, who is Miss Manners. She had this to say about it:
“DEAR MISS MANNERS: On a job application or any application, when does one check the divorce box versus the single one? I say you’re divorced for one year and check the divorced box, then you are to check the single box. One can’t be divorced forever. Some people with kids prefer to use the divorced box, but one should use the single box if they are single.
Gentle Reader: The rule you propose is better than the common practice, Miss Manners admits — the one by which a formerly married lady is called a divorcee forever, while the former husband immediately reverts to being a bachelor.
Still, you don’t get to make up the rules. Well, socially, you do. But even Miss Manners does not get to mess with legal terms. If you tire of being single and are asked your status on a marriage license application, she is afraid that you have to come clean.”
Tags: Divorce, Kids, Marriage, Miss Manners
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October 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
[...] of married. Well, if you have ever wondered when you can check “single” again, check out this charming bit of advice from a Maryland Divorce Law Blog (with an assist from Miss Manners). Topics: Life Planning | [...]