Today the chances of getting divorce are high, with approximately 50% of all marriages in the United States ending in divorce. Though the rates of divorce appear to be on the decline, the high percentage remains a cause for concern. Researchers have worked to find ways to predict the likelihood of divorce by tracking statistics and trends around the United States. After years spent gathering information, researchers have identified certain factors that increase the likelihood of a marriage ending in divorce. While not everyone who meets the identified criteria will get divorced (or stay married), the data gathered gives valuable insight into what strengths or weakens a marriage.

Mental Health Issues

Each year approximately 43.8 million adults in the United States experience some form of mental illness. Various types of mental illness can impact an adult’s social life, career, and even marriage. If one or both adults in a marriage suffers from diagnosed mental illnesses, periodic depression, or substance abuse, the probability of their marriage ending in divorce increases.  Attending therapy together that encourages healthy communication while providing treatment can help keep a marriage strong, but it is important to understand the impact mental health issues can have on a relationship. When left untreated and unacknowledged, those issues become even more difficult to work through.

Divorced Parents Marital Status

The marital status of your parents and your spouse’s parents can influence the success or failure of your own future marriages. If either of a couple’s parents are divorced, the chances of the couple later getting divorced doubles. Research has shown that individuals raised in a post-divorce household subconsciously absorb the idea that long-term commitment is not truly possible. This attitude makes it harder to confront problems when they occur and work together to find a mutually beneficial solution. A history of divorce in a family can create a mindset that discourages communication and makes it more difficult to trust a spouse.

Unequal Educational Backgrounds

Academic achievement also impacts whether or not your marriage will last. Couples who each have a Bachelor’s degree are more likely to remain married than couples where only one spouse has a college degree. When both partners have the same educational background, their relationship feels more like a partnership between equals. If there is a gap in education between adults that later translates into an unequal earning potential and a difference in socioeconomic status, problems could occur early in the marriage. Financial issues are one of the primary causes of divorce and a lack of college education can seriously limit one partner’s long term income potential.

Seek Advice if Divorce Seems Inevitable

Once you have reached a point at which you are certain that divorce is the best option for you, it is best to seek advice from a professional. Consulting a divorce attorney early will allow you to prepare yourself for the process of a contested or uncontested divorce. The attorneys at Vayman & Teitelbaum know that the decision to get divorced is not one that is made lightly. Our team is able to help you determine how to move forward in a manner that protects you and preserves everything to which you are entitled. Contact us today to schedule a consultation of one of our four conveniently located Atlanta metro area offices.