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Divorce rates fall, but many marriages still end in divorce

On Behalf of | Nov 20, 2016 | Divorce |

People in California might be less likely to get a divorce than in previous years based on research from the National Center for Family & Marriage Research at Bowling Green University. However, some experts say that the figure of half of all marriages ending in divorce still stands and that data about lower divorce rates does not necessarily correlate to the success or failure of any particular marriage.

It is not altogether clear why divorce rates have gone down for the third time in three years. There is speculation that it could be due to lower rates of marriage. Although marriage rates increased slightly in 2015 compared to 2014, overall, marriage rates are down compared to the 1970s and 1980s. More people are remaining single or moving in with partners rather than getting married.

A pattern has been identified in baby boomers who married young but who are also marrying and divorcing at older ages. It is not yet clear whether Millennials and Generation X will follow this same pattern of divorcing and remarrying later in life.

When a person is considering divorce, they may have different concerns based on how long the marriage has lasted and their age. For example, younger people who have only been married for a few years might have fewer assets, but they may need to work out child custody and support. Older people may be concerned about keeping their share of the retirement account. Since California is a community property state, most assets acquired after marriage are considered shared marital property unless there is a prenuptial agreement. A person considering divorce might decide to consult an attorney who focuses his or her practice on aspects of divorce such as property division, child custody, child support and settlement negotiation.