Divorce is quite prevalent in the United States. Many Americans, however, may choose to remarry, and while some of these marriages may be successful, others may not be as fortunate. It is not unusual for someone to choose to remain single after a divorce.
Divorce Rates
It’s interesting to note that the most divorce papers are filed in February. On average, divorce proceedings in the United States take a year to complete. While the northeast are of the United States has the lowest marriage and divorce rates, the western part of the country has the highest.
The divorce rate for first marriages is approximately 41%. For second marriages it is 60%, and for third, it is 73%. While the average age for a woman’s first divorce is 29, men tend to experience their first divorce at 30.5.
More couples in their 50s are choosing to divorce. A Bowling Green State University study found that this rate has actually doubled over the past 20 years.
Multiple Reasons for Divorce
It’s been shown that marriages tend to last longer when couples are older when they marry. When they also possess a higher education and earn more money, they are also more likely to remain together.
There are, of course, multiple reasons why couples choose to divorce. According to a 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, living together before marriage isn’t considered to be a strong predictor any longer.
United States’ statistics show that a marriage is 75% more likely to end when 1 of the partners is a smoker. For couples that have a child, statistical data also shows that the child’s gender may play a part in a divorce. When a couple has a daughter rather than a son, 5% of marriages are more likely to end in divorce.
Occupation has also been shown to play a significant role in whether or not a marriage ends. When either or both of the partners are involved in the following professions, data shows that they are more likely to obtain a divorce:
- Agricultural engineers
- Nuclear engineers
- Optometrists
- Podiatrists
- Salespeople
While there may be a variety of reasons why each couple chooses to divorce, there are some common causes. The top reasons, for instance, include the following issues:
- Communication problems
- Infidelity or betrayal
- Financial problems
- Abuse
- Loss of interest
Infidelity alone has been shown to cause serious medical issues, according to the findings of a University of Florence study. This study showed that there was an increased risk for major cardiovascular events, which included fatal heart attacks.
How Divorce Can Affect Men and Women
In 2012, the University of Cincinnati conducted a study that included the effects of divorce on men and women. They found that men, rather than women, were more likely to engage in drinking alcohol following a divorce.
How Divorce Can Affect Children
Studies show that divorce tends to have an adverse effect on children. While it does depend on the age at which their parents divorced along with other factors, children of divorce are more at risk for dropping out of high school. Furthermore, they are less likely to apply to, attend, or complete college. Data shows that when children’s parents are divorced, they experience twice as much risk for these and other significant issues.
Questions to Ask Divorce Lawyers
There are a variety of questions to ask during an initial consultation with divorce lawyers. Even though a person may be interested in just obtaining general divorce advice, they may also have a few specific questions that they would like to ask. This might include, for example, obtaining information about the difference between a contested and an uncontested divorce.
When there are children involved, divorce lawyers will be able to provide information and counsel on parental rights and responsibilities. They may also provide legal advice on whether or not mediation could be beneficial with an uncontested divorce with children.
Since going through a divorce can be a challenging process, it makes sense to consult with divorce lawyers for legal advice and assistance. Given their experience, these professionals can explain the relevant laws, assist with filing divorce papers, and provide mediation and representation as needed.
When there are children involved, divorce lawyers will be able to provide information and counsel on parental rights and responsibilities. They may also provide legal advice on whether or not mediation could be beneficial with an uncontested divorce with children.
Since going through a divorce can be a challenging process, it makes sense to consult with divorce lawyers for legal advice and assistance. Given their experience, these professionals can explain the relevant laws, assist with filing divorce papers, and provide mediation and representation as needed.
