US lawyer offers sweet deal on Valentine's Day: Free divorce

An attorney is offering a free divorce this Valentine's Day to a spouse with the best break-up story. Walter Bentley who runs a law practice in Southfield, Michigan, writes on his website that those interested should submit a ‘compelling and convincing' statement detailing why they should win. He said, "They won't have to take out their wallet for anything. All the hearings, all the paperwork. I will pay all the fees and expenses, to the end. What they're getting would ordinarily cost them $1,500 to $3,000."

The competition is limited to couples in the Michigan area.u00a0He added, "The contest is still open. Why not forward or share with a friend that you know is deserving. Some Valentine's day gifts last longer than chocolate."

Bentley said that he was inspired to run the promotion after one of his students in a night class he teaches invited him to a party celebrating the end of her marriage. "She'd just had her divorce finalised and she was celebrating. I'd never thought about that before - celebrating divorce. "So, I thought, why not do something special for Valentine's Day? You can't find a new love before you close the chapter on the old," he explained.

Nearly 500 people have applied according to Bentley. Talking about what kind of stories he will be looking out for, Bentley said, "We're looking for someone truly struggling to move forward. Maybe someone who's overcome some obstacle - a foreclosure. Maybe they're struggling to make ends meet, and they don't have enough money for a divorce."