Photo of Professionals at McCoy Fatula, APC
Photo of Professionals at McCoy Fatula, APC

Is the divorce rate 50 percent? The answer may surprise you.

On Behalf of | Oct 24, 2018 | Uncategorized

Like other California readers, you may assume the divorce rate in the United States is approximately 50 percent. People have often heard and they often repeat the alleged fact that half of all marriages end in divorce. While many marriages do end eventually, understanding the divorce rate is more complicated than you may assume.

In order to better understand the rate of divorce, it may be helpful to look at the reason for divorce for many couples and how different generations view this legal process. If you are considering this step for yourself or you simply want to prepare in case of a contingency, you may have many questions and concerns about what these facts mean for you. It is beneficial to learn about this legal step and how you can learn from others as you make important decisions for your future.

Understanding divorce trends

Many people who wonder what the divorce rate is currently in the United States really want to know, statistically speaking, what the chances are that their marriages will also end. You may know a lot of divorced people or you may be preparing for the process yourself, but that does not mean you know everything you need to know. Consider the following:

  • According to recent polls, there are approximately 3.2 divorces for every 1,000 people in the United States — but that is not the entire picture of the U.S. divorce rate.
  • One factor impacting the overall divorce rate is the rising number of divorces in the Baby Boomer generation. Many couples in this generation got married young, which may have contributed to their divorce rate.
  • The current divorce rate among people age 20-45 is lower now than it was nearly a decade ago. Above the age of 45, however, the rate of divorce is the same.

Another contributing factor in the rate of divorce is the changing perspective on marriage itself. Many couples are now waiting until later in life to marry, after they achieve a measure of financial stability.

Your interests in divorce

The divorce rate in the country may not be quite 50 percent, but it is very difficult to determine what that number may actually be. If you are facing the prospect of divorce, it may be beneficial for you to think carefully about your future when making your choices. You are much more than just a statistic, and you would be wise to be deliberate and careful when pursuing a strong and stable post-divorce future.

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