Study Reveals Startling Divorce Statistics

Most people are aware of the statistic that half of all first marriages end in divorce. Some other statistics about divorce may come as more of a surprise, while others may confirm some old ideas. For instance, a recent study showed that both first and second marriages had an average life span of about eight years. This statistic may give believers in the “seven-year-itch” theory some factual ammunition. However, the issues surrounding divorce often involve more than just boredom with the same partner.

Divorce in Different States

Each state has its own divorce laws, so some couples who marry in one state may choose to divorce in another. Until the recent Supreme Court decision, same-sex couples who married in a state that allowed such unions could not obtain divorces in states that did nor recognize same-sex marriages. Some states, such as Texas, allow for “no-fault” divorce, in which couples need not cite a specific cause for the divorce. Some states require a minimum residency period, usually a year or less, before granting a divorce.

Divorce and Property

A major issue facing couples in their divorce proceedings is the distribution of the marital assets. In states with community property laws, such as Texas, the marital assets and debts are divided equally between the spouses, even if those assets or debts are in the name of only one spouse. Some states provide for “equitable distribution,” which allows the spouse who earned or received the assets to keep them after the divorce, rather than splitting the proceeds with the other spouse. In these states, the credit card debt belongs to the account holder after the divorce.

Divorce and Children

Another point of contention among divorcing couples is the custody of minor children from the marriage. Divorce can affect children both emotionally and financially. A recent study showed that 28 percent of children living with a divorced parent were living below the poverty line. The study also found that 15 percent of the couples who opted for a long-term separation over a formal divorce did so due to financial pressures associated with raising children.

Divorce and Other Factors

A different survey asked women between 15 and 44 on the factors that led to divorce. The survey found that 54 percent of the couples who married when the women were under 20 years of age reached the ten-year anniversary in their marriages. For couples in which the women were 25 or older when they married, 78 percent reached their ten-year anniversary. The study also found that couples who had children together either prior to or within six months of the marriage stayed together at least ten years only 55 percent of the time. The same survey found that 85 percent of the couples who had their first child eight months or more into the marriage reached the ten-year mark.

Source: CreditDonkey

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