Do Any Of The Risk Factors For Divorce Exist In Your Marriage?

For a long time in this country, it’s been a well-known fact that about half of marriages end in divorce. It also well-documented that divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a person can have in life, and it can mean financial ruin for many spouses. Divorce has actually been in slight decline in the past few decades in the United States, although these statistics could be skewed by the seemingly never-ending stream of unprecedented historical events. There are a wide variety of factors that increase the likelihood that a married couple will eventually get divorced. There is probably a good chance that at least one of these factors applies to your marriage, if not several. Read on to learn more about some of the factors that increase the likelihood that your union could eventually end through a dissolution of marriage. If you’re seeking a free consultation with an experienced Phoenix divorce attorney, call 480-680-9126.  

Living Together Before Marriage

In some cultures, it is heavily frowned upon to live with a romantic partner before marriage. For others, cohabitation is a necessary step before legally binding themselves to another person for the rest of their lives. The logic here is that this gives you a better preview of what it would be like to be married to that person, reducing the risk that the marriage will fall apart and the spouses divorce. Approximately 70% of couples in the United States live together before marriage, making this an observable effect. However, couples who cohabitate before marriage are 48% more likely to eventually get divorced than those who don’t. This effect was more pronounced among couples who lived together to test the relationship or save money than those who simply wanted to spend more time together. It could also be explained by cultural differences around cohabitating before marriage and filing for divorce overlap. 

Lawyer mediating a discussion with a couple beside legal documents, scales, and wedding rings, symbolizing Divorce proceedings.

Previous Marriages

With the average age of first divorce in the United States being at around 30 years old, many people who divorce end up remarrying. But are people who get married a second time more likely to get divorced because they’ve already done it before, or less likely because they’ve learned from their previous mistakes? The data shows that the former is true, with the divorce rate for second marriages creeping up to 67%. It increases even higher to 73% for spouses who marry a third time. Approximately 60% of marriages are first-time weddings for the spouses. The remaining 40% is split evenly between unions in which one spouse has been previously married, and unions in which both spouses have been previously married. 

Religion

Religion can significantly impact a couple’s attitudes around marriage and divorce. In fact, some religious couples in Arizona marry using covenant marriage, which only allows for divorce under limited circumstances. Hindus experience the lowest rate of divorce in the country, with 5% of that population group being divorced. Approximately 14% of the Evangelical Christian population is divorced, making it the highest in the country. Lack of religion doesn’t increase divorce, as 11% of the Atheist and Agnostic population is divorced. 

Industries With The Highest Divorce Rates

You’ve probably heard advice about staying away from certain professions, like pilots and politicians, if you want a spouse who remains faithful. There are factors besides infidelity that can lead to marriage, and having a job in some fields can aggravate these issues. The top 10 industries with the highest divorce rates are as follows: 

  1. Office and administrative support
  2. Transportation
  3. Protective services
  4. Personal care and service
  5. Installation, maintenance, and repair workers
  6. Health care support
  7. Production
  8. Sales
  9. Building and grounds cleaning
  10. Food preparation and serving

On the flip side, you may also be interested in which industries have the lowest divorce rates. Marrying within these professions doesn’t guarantee you won’t get divorced, but it may help lower your odds. The industries with the lowest rates of divorce are as follows: 

  1. Architecture and engineering
  2. Computers and mathematics
  3. Military
  4. Life, physical, and social sciences
  5. Education and library
  6. Health care
  7. Community and social services
  8. Farming, fishing, and forestry
  9. Finance
  10. Legal

If you’re a bachelor or bachelorette on the hunt for a stable relationship, this information might not be specific enough for you. Some professions display clearly lower divorce rates than others. The top 10 occupations with the lowest divorce rates are as follows:

  1. Actuaries
  2. Physical scientists
  3. Medical scientists
  4. Clergy
  5. Software developers
  6. Physical therapists
  7. Optometrists
  8. Chemical engineers
  9. Religious and education directors
  10. Physicians and surgeons

Living Below The Poverty Line

Some couples stay together simply because it is cheaper than getting divorced. There are attorney’s fees and other expenses associated with the divorce itself, but the new lifestyle going forward with two sets of expenses can set back divorced spouses even more. One might think that this would encourage married couples who live below the poverty line to stay together, but the opposite is true. Approximately 46% of people who have lived at or below the poverty line in the United States have divorced. The divorce rate continues to decrease the higher the household income the couple shares. One spouse being a homemaker can decrease the odds of divorce, and it doesn’t matter which spouse does it- relationships with either the husband or the wife staying home from work show a decreased divorce rate. 

Education Level

Some media sources would have you believe that feminism, resulting in women’s advancement in their careers, education, etc., is a leading cause of divorce. But college-educated women are actually the population group least likely to divorce and most likely to have long-lasting marriages. Approximately 78% of women who have graduated college with a bachelor’s degree are married for at least 20 years. The divorce rate increases the less education a person has, so the highest divorce rate is among those who have not achieved a high school degree. It decreases gradually as the couples earn high school degrees, some college education, graduation, etc. 

Looking To Learn More About Your Options For Legally Ending Your Marriage In Arizona? 

If too many factors are working against your marriage, it may be time to file for divorce, legal separation, or annulment. This stops the accumulation of community property so you can begin moving forward as your own separate entity. Which legal process you should use, and whether you should actually proceed, will vary based on your personal circumstances. This decision could also be affected if you share minor children in common with your spouse. Should you choose to proceed with ending your marriage, your long-term financial situation and time with your children could be at risk. The best way to protect your interests is by retaining a skilled attorney to represent you throughout your case. Our Phoenix and Tucson family law lawyers have built a practice by helping Arizona families through their most stressful times. Start the path towards your new future today with your free consultation by phone- schedule today at 480-680-9126.