|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
   |
BW/HARRIS POLL: HE SAID, SHE SAID
Note: This online-only feature is a complete version of the
poll that appears in the August 3, 1998, issue of Business Week.
THERE'S A PROBLEM
Is divorce in America is a very serious problem, a somewhat
serious problem, or not a serious problem at all?
Very serious problem 47%
Somewhat serious problem 41%
Not a serious problem at all 11%
Don't know 1%
LAWS NEED FIXING
Do you believe that current divorce laws make it too hard
to get a divorce, make it too easy to get a divorce, or are
appropriate as is?
Make it too hard to get a divorce 10%
Make it too easy to get a divorce 50%
Are appropriate as is 33%
Don't know 7%
WHO WINS?
In general, do you believe property settlements in divorce
tend to favor the husband, tend to favor the wife, or favor
both parties about equally?
MEN WOMEN
The husband 6% 25%
The wife 74% 30%
Both parties about equally 13% 21%
Don't know 7% 24%
POWER TO THE JUDGE
In some states, the law requires that marital property be
divided evenly. In other states, judges are given discretion
to divide property based on what they consider an equitable
basis. Do you believe that:
MEN WOMEN
The law should mandate an equal 31% 29%
distribution in all cases
Judges should be given discretion 66% 70%
to decide, depending on the
circumstances of the case
Don't know 3% 2%
CARVING UP THE PIE
In general, how should property be divided in a divorce
when one spouse has generated most of the family's wealth?
MEN WOMEN
Should be divided equally 41% 62%
The spouse who generated most 50% 28%
of the wealth should receive
a larger share
Don't know 9% 10%
SPLITTING THE BIG ONES
How should property be divided if the estate concerned is
worth over $10 million?
MEN WOMEN
Should be divided equally, 34% 49%
regardless of how large it is
The spouse who generated most of 61% 45%
the wealth should receive a larger
share, as long as his/her spouse has
enough to maintain his/her lifestyle
Don't know 5% 6%
WHO SHOULD GET WHAT
How should each of each of the following assets be divided
in a divorce? Should they be split evenly, or should a
larger share go to the spouse who earned them directly?
SPLIT SPLIT DON'T
EVENLY BY EARNINGS KNOW
MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN
Company stock or stock options
40% 55% 53% 39% 7% 6%
Company pension
34% 44% 61% 48% 5% 8%
Ownership of a private company
38% 52% 57% 41% 5% 7%
WAR OF THE WENDTS
Recently, a high-profile divorce case involving Gary Wendt,
chief executive of GE Capital, and his wife, Lorna, was tried.
Lorna Wendt argued that she was entitled to half the estate,
even though she didn't work for pay. Gary Wendt said he was
entitled to more than half, as long as Lorna received enough
to maintain her lifestyle. Do you tend to:
MEN WOMEN
Agree with Lorna Wendt 34% 52%
Agree with Gary Wendt 62% 43%
Don't know 4% 5%
PREVALENCE OF PRENUPS
If you are married, did you sign a prenuptial agreement before
you were married, or not?
Signed a prenuptial agreement 3%
Did not sign a prenuptial agreement 96%
Refused to answer 1%
HOW THE ESTATE WAS DIVIDED
If you have been divorced, how would you describe the property
settlement in your divorce?
MEN WOMEN
The estate was divided equally 37% 52%
I received substantially more of 14% 8%
the estate than my spouse
My spouse received substantially 46% 36%
more of the estate
Refused to answer 3% 4%
A MATTER OF FAIRNESS
Which of the following best characterizes the way you feel
about the property settlement in your divorce?
MEN WOMEN
It was basically fair 56% 54%
I received too much 0% 1%
My spouse received too much 43% 41%
Don't know 1% 4%
Online survey of 1,666 adults with households income $100,000
or higher conducted May 1-3, 1998 for Business Week by Louis
Harris & Associates Inc. To participate in this and future
online polls, go to http://206.1.46.26/bwdiv.htm
Edited by Keith H. Hammonds RELATED ITEMS
|
Updated July 23, 1998 by bwwebmaster
Copyright 1998, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use