When are People Most Likely to Divorce?

For the past several years, Florida has had one of the highest divorce rates in the entire country. In Florida, the divorce rate is approximately 13.2 percent, making the Sunshine State the fourth-highest state in the country. Wyoming, Alabama, and Arkansas are the only three states that have a higher divorce rate. People decide to end their marriage for many reasons, but there are times when couples in Florida are more likely to get a divorce.

Many Couples End Their Marriage in Their 40s 

People may think that once a couple has reached their 40s, the chance of getting a divorce decreases. In fact, the opposite is true. While many people choose to wait until later in life to get married, many couples are still getting married for the first time during their 20s and 30s. Couples may then decide to have children and spend the next 10 to 20 years raising them. Once a couple has reached their 40s, they have often already raised a family and their children may have moved out of the home.

For many, reaching the mid to late 40s is exciting. People may find they can now make the big purchases they put off while raising a family, or they may have more time to travel. While these are exciting changes, other people may also start thinking about divorce. They may have remained in an unhappy marriage for the children, or just want a clean slate now that they have fewer obligations.

There May Be Some Truth to the Seven-Year Itch 

The ‘seven-year itch’ is a term that was coined by the famous Marilyn Monroe movie. However, evidence shows that there may be some truth to it. The first year or two of marriage is known as the ‘honeymoon period,’ when couples are settling into life together and generally still very much in love. By the time seven years have passed, the honeymoon period is long over and people may start to become restless in their marriage.

Research has found that the average length of a first marriage in the United States is 8.2 years. This may indicate that people often start thinking about divorce after seven years, and they actually file within approximately one year after that time.

Gray Divorces are Becoming More Common 

Although divorcing after the seven or eight-year mark is common, other couples wait much longer before ending their marriage. Gray divorces, which involve couples in their 50s or older, are becoming much more common today. The rate of gray divorces has doubled since the 1990s and since that time, the rate of divorces involving couples over the age of 65 has tripled. According to this research, divorcing when one or both parties are in their 50s is also very common.

Our Divorce Attorneys in Tampa are Always Here to Help with Your Case 

Regardless of your age or when you decide to end your marriage, our Tampa divorce attorneys at All Family Law Group, P.A., are always here to help you through the process. Call us now at 813-672-1900 or contact us online to request a free review of your case and to learn more about your legal options.

Sources:

health.clevelandclinic.org/seven-year-itch/#:~:text=Is the seven-year itch real?,Borland notes.

theapopkavoice.com/stories/why-is-the-divorce-rate-in-florida-so-high,1601