For many California residents, getting married is their greatest goal. However, rushing into a marriage without discussing finances and what each person expects after the ceremony often can lead to divorce.
Approximately 50 percent of all first marriages end up in divorce. The likelihood of divorce increases for every subsequent marriage. For example, approximately 60 to 67 percent of second marriages end up in divorce while about 70 percent of all third marriages do not last. Age also appears to be a factor in whether a couple divorces later on. For example, both men and women who marry when they are under 24 years old are more likely to get a divorce than those who first get married when they are older.
When it comes to why couples decide that divorce is the best option, the top three reasons include disagreements over finances, lack of commitment to the marriage and infidelity. These reasons may be caused by the failure to discuss what each person wants out of the marriage and how to deal with the practicalities, like finances. Unrealistic expectations and marrying too young are other top reasons many couples get divorced.
If the couple cannot work together to overcome their differences, a divorce may be the next step. If the couple has children or significant marital assets that need to be divided, legal advice may be warranted. An attorney may walk a client through the process and explain what to expect. Additionally, the attorney may help a client gather all of the financial documents and any other evidence that may be neededto prove that certain assets are separate and should not be divided.
