IZMIR BREAKS ITS OWN RECORDS WHEN IT COMES TO DIVORCING
Experts state that Aegean Region is on top of the list in divorce rates among Turkey and that people do not want to lead an unhappy life in a western life style. According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data, total of 1 million 43 thousand 97 couples got separated in the last 10 years. The divorce statistics increased to 114 thousand 162 in 2009, 118 thousand 568 in 2010, 120 thousand 117 in 2011, and 123 thousand 325 in 2012. 22 thousand 367 couples in Aegean Region, and 10 thousand 868 couples in Izmir got divorced to lead separate lives in 2012. The quickest way to get divorced in the first hearing is through uncontested divorce.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Cem Özcan, Lecturer at Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Law, who addressed the divorce rates in Turkey, stated that Aegean Region was leading the way and Izmir had the highest divorce rates. Özcan said, “In Izmir, divorcing is much easier when the spouses fail to meet the needs. Divorce is tolerated more in Izmir compared to other cities. Women subject to violence or ill treatment decide to get a divorce much easier. In Izmir women earn their economic freedom, therefore, decide about divorce easily.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Cem Özcan stated Izmir adopted a more western approach when it came to divorce, and couples preferred to end their marriage when the quality of marriage got influenced negatively, and chose a new life style for themselves. While Özcan stated that Clause 3-Article 166 of the Civil Code referred to uncontested divorce, he said as the marriage rates increased, divorce rates would increase just as much.
The quickest divorce
Asst. Prof. Dr. Cem Özcan mentioned that after one year of marriage, couples were able to get divorced in the first hearing as long as it was an uncontested divorce. “There is no time limitation in France. You got married today but realized you could not get along the next day. The marriage is ended without a waiting period. France is discussing about the option of getting a divorce in front of a notary without having to go to court. It may be too early for Turkey to discuss this just yet, but 1 year waiting period may be opened for discussion. This time limitation in Turkey maybe reviewed in our country,” said Asst. Prof. Dr. Cem Özcan.
