Most of us have probably heard that half of all American marriages end in divorce, with that number even higher if it is not a first marriage. However, statistics over the past few years show that the divorce rate is declining.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overall divorce rate decreased from 3.6 per 1000 people in 2010 to 2.4 per 100 people in 2022. Additionally, the marriage rate appears to be increasing. Statistics show that the marriage rate rose to 6.2% in 2022.
These new statistics demonstrate that the claim that half of all marriages end in divorce is rather misleading.
Potential reasons for the decline
There are several potential reasons for the decline in divorces. One is that couples tend to get married at older ages than in the past. Couples today are more likely to get married later in life after they have reached a certain level of financial success.
Emotional maturity and the ability to work through complicated issues or problems often come with age, which means couples who marry later in life may be better able to withstand the challenges a marriage brings.
Another possible reason is that there are simply fewer marriages today than in the past. With less people getting married, there will naturally be fewer divorces.
Although divorce rates are declining, divorces do still happen for many reasons. Infidelity and lack of commitment are common reasons for divorce. Financial difficulties also often cause strain between married couples, leading to divorce.
Some Florida couples may avoid divorce simply because the divorce process seems complicated or overwhelming. Many people are afraid of losing their financial stability after a divorce.
Preparing for a divorce
If this sounds like you, there are many steps you can take to prepare for divorce before filing.
Learn everything you can about your current financial situation. Identify and document your financial life.
This includes gathering documentation on your real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts and any other assets. Do the same for your debts.
Property division is one of the most complicated aspects of divorce. This involves dividing your marital property in a fair and equitable manner. You cannot do this without a full picture of your financial circumstances.
How to handle social media
Change passwords to your accounts, both financial and non-financial. You would be surprised at how even innocent social media posts can turn into incriminating evidence in a divorce.
For example, perhaps you file a claim for alimony because you need some income to live on while you search for a job to support yourself after divorce. You then decide to enjoy a night out with friends who are helping you through this difficult time.
If you post a picture of yourself out with friends, your spouse may use this to claim that you do not need the alimony, since you are out spending money with friends. It is usually best to stay off social media when you are going through a divorce.
Start planning your post-divorce budget. Recognize that most divorces involve adjusting to a lower standard of living, even just temporarily. Staying organized and realistic can make the transition smoother.
When divorce happens, emotions run high and making major decisions can seem impossible. Having someone on your side protecting your interests is essential.