Most try to sign a divorce settlement by themselves first. After failing to reach an agreement on issues such as the division of property or custody of children, they turn to legal resolution.

大多数夫妻会先行签定离婚协议书。无法在财产分配或子女监护等问题上达成一致时，他们才采取法律手段。

在上面的报道中，divorce settlement就是“离婚协议书”，也可以用marital termination agreement来表达，是指即将解除婚姻关系的夫妻双方所签署的、关于division of property(财产分割)、custody and visitation of children(子女监护与探视)、spousal support(配偶赡养费)以及child support(子女抚养费)等的书面协议。

在顺义区法院调查的离婚案件中，incompatibility(无法相处)、extramarital affairs(婚外情)和domestic violence(家庭暴力)是离婚的主因。