Divorce is an increasingly common occurrence in our society, with nearly half of all marriages ending in divorce. With so many couples facing this difficult decision, it’s important to understand the factors that can lead to couples getting divorced and how a lawyer can help you through this difficult time.
We’ll explore the percentage of married couples who get divorced, examine the various factors that contribute to divorce decisions such as financial issues, marital infidelity, and communication difficulties, analyze how these trends compare between Texas and other states across America, investigate if some demographics are more likely than others to get divorced.
Additionally, advice will be provided on how you can best protect yourself if your marriage ends in divorce.
Divorce Statistics in the United States
Nearly 45 percent of married couples eventually divorce in the United States. This statistic is an average across different states and can vary depending on where you live. In Texas, for example, the divorce rate is slightly lower with around 41% of marriages ending in divorce. Although this figure is still relatively high compared to other countries, the divorce rate has been decreasing since its peak in 1980 when it reached a staggering 50%.
Research suggests that couples are now more likely to stay together despite having difficulties within their marriage as they may be unwilling or unable to afford the cost associated with getting divorced.
Do Fifty Percent of Marriages Really End in Divorce?
It has become a popular belief that half of all marriages end in divorce; however, this statistic is actually an exaggeration. While 44% of couples become divorced, the other 56% remain married. This means that more than half of couples do work through issues and stay together for the long term. It should also be noted that divorce rates change depending on other demographics as well. Some couples divorce more often depending on additional circumstances.
What Percentage of First Marriages End in Divorce?
It is widely accepted that first marriages have a lower rate of divorce than subsequent marriages, as partners are often more cautious about making the commitment due to having had previous experience of separation.
Research suggests that approximately 42% of first marriages end in divorce, with this figure increasing for each additional marriage. This means that divorcing couples who have experienced divorce and then remarry are more likely to get divorced again, should the marriage face problems.
For example, about 60% of second marriages end in divorce and a staggering 73% of third marriages end in divorce.
What is Your Risk of Divorce?
The risk of divorce depends on a range of individual factors such as age, education level, and income. People who are younger than 25 when they marry are more likely to get divorced than those aged between 25-39.
Those with a college degree or higher are less likely to separate compared to those without an educational qualification, while couples with higher incomes have a lower divorce rate than their lower-earning counterparts.
Significant life events can also increase the risk of divorce; for example, having children within the first year of marriage is believed to be associated with a higher divorce rate as it places strain on both partners who must work together to support and raise them. Additionally, couples who experience health issues during their marriage may find it harder to stay together due to the associated financial burden.
Overall, these factors all contribute to the risk of divorce, and understanding them can help couples assess their own situation and act if needed.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Divorce?
The absolute most common reason for divorce is a lack of communication or poor communication between spouses. This often opens the door to other serious issues such as domestic violence, financial problems, and more.
Infidelity is also a major contributor to divorce, with this factor being cited in around 22% of all separations. Financial problems are another leading cause of marriage breakdown, with the inability to manage money or pay bills often leading to tension and disagreements.
Other contributing factors include different religious beliefs, incompatibility over parenting styles, an unequal division of labor within the home, and growing apart due to changing interests and values.
Divorce Rates and Age
It has been found that divorce rates vary significantly between different age groups. Generally, younger couples are more likely to separate as they may not have the same level of commitment or maturity as older couples.
Data indicates that younger people have the highest divorce rate. In 2017 there were 27 divorces per 1000 people who married under the age of 25. For those aged 25-34, there were 23 divorces per 1000 people. That number decreases to 21 divorces for the age group of 35-44 and continues to decrease significantly from there indicating that the younger a couple is when they get married, the more likely it is that the couple gets divorced.
Divorce in America: The Baby Boomer Factor
Baby boomers, those born between 1945 and 1965, show an interesting trend when it comes to divorce. In 2018, reports stated that most divorces in America were people over 50 years old – 40% were among baby boomers!
Do You Have Questions or Concerns about Divorce?
If you’re wondering about divorce, it’s important to consider all the factors that can contribute to a couple separating. It is also important to remember that there are resources available to help couples stay together if they are willing to put in the effort and make use of them.
For example, counseling sessions with marriage counselors or religious advisors can provide guidance on how best to manage any issues while professional financial advice may be beneficial for couples experiencing financial difficulties. Additionally, setting boundaries and learning communication techniques can help keep relationships strong.
However, if divorce is the best course of action for you, then the first thing you want to do is speak to a qualified and experienced divorce lawyer. They can provide advice on how to get through the process and what steps need to be taken in order to ensure that it is done fairly and efficiently.
Finally, it’s important to remember that divorce doesn’t mean you have failed – it just means that you are choosing a different path. So, if you do decide divorce is best for your situation, then make sure you take care of yourself both emotionally and financially throughout the process.
The Jimenez Law Firm is On Your Side
The Jimenez Law Firm helps men and women through the difficult stages of divorce by protecting your rights so you can heal and prepare to move forward in life. We look after your best interests and the best interests of your children to make the divorce process as painless as possible. We also focus on your rights as parents and maintaining your relationship with your child while helping you with child custody and child support.
A great attorney will work hard to get a fair settlement agreement that allows your family to move forward toward a happy, healthy life. In addition, if you’re considering cohabitating with your partner or future spouse, we can also help create a prenuptial agreement that will provide you both with protection in the event of a future divorce.
