Family Law

Are Couples Who Marry Young More Likely to Divorce?

By J. Benjamin Stevens

Are couples who marry in their twenties more likely to have their marriage end in divorce?  Recent statistics in Great Britain seem to indicate that is the case.  Some suspect that today's celebrity-driven culture may be at least partially to blame. Celebrity marriages even have their own terminology.  For instance, the term "starter marriage' is a concept that has been used to describe celebrities' first marriages that end within five years, and often before the birth of children.

From my perspective as a divorce lawyer, I believe that couples who marry younger face many challenges that those who wait to marry do not.  For instance, those who marry too young face a greater risk of "growing apart" because they are still developing their own individual personalities. Another obstacle that I see for younger couples is increased meddling, no matter how well intentioned, by their parents or other extended family members.

So are divorces for younger couples easier to handle?  Not necessarily.  If the couple has children, the kids are usually very young, which can often lead to custody and/or visitation battles.  Over the last fifteen years, fathers have made great strides in their ability to be viable options for custody, so don't assume that the mother will always prevail, because they don't.  

Younger couples may not have accumulated as many assets (or debts) as older couples, but many times there are more intense battles over what they have accumulated than with older couples.  For instance, if the young couple owns a home, both of them may want to keep the home because perhaps neither of them can qualify for another mortgage by themselves.

In summary, every divorce case is different.  Younger couples face certain types of challenges, just as do older couples.  The challenges may be different, but it is equally important that they be handled appropriately.  The best thing you can do if you (or someone you know) are facing this situation is to consult with an experienced family law attorney to discuss your case and the options available to you.  You are encouraged to contact our office at (864) 598-9172 or by email Info@SpartanburgLawyers.com to schedule a consultation.

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on March 04, 2011 (boomark / email).